Now that we are storing more of our sensitive information online, we must now fully understand what data privacy means to us and how to best use it. The number of cybersecurity threats grows with every passing year, especially with the increased popularity of remote work and everyday business being moved online.
What’s Data Privacy
For those who are unclear, data privacy is a piece of data/info that needs to be protected and handled carefully because of its importance and relevance. Doing different activities online, anywhere from entering an address for shipping all the way to handling online banking, requires different levels of security.
Even just one company can be handling sensitive data on millions of users. That data must be protected in order to keep users safe from any malicious attacks. Any breach of data could lead to the demise of a company. Businesses need to keep track and be aware of both the sensitive information of employees and customers, along with all the data that runs the company.
Personal Privacy v. Security for Businesses
There is a slight difference between an individual’s personal privacy and security for businesses though. Security is going to be more involved with the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of their data. They also need to know how to be able to access private information when needed and keep it guarded against those who do not.
With personal information, it is important to keep track of its life cycle and know how it is collected and possibly shared. Two different types of critical personal info are personally identifiable information (also known as PII) and personal health information (PHI). These include Social Security numbers, medical and health records, financial information, bank accounts, credit card info, and basic info like names, birthdays, and addresses.
How to Protect Your Data
The best way to keep your information out of the hands of hackers is to protect yourself before they even happen.
The best ways to protect your own privacy are to:
- Never provide your Social Security number until it is absolutely necessary and never carry your Social Security card around with you in your wallet
- Create strong passwords by making them all unique when making accounts online
- Use a locked mailbox or mail slot in your front door to prevent mail theft
- Store sensitive documents like bank information, deeds, passports, and Social Security cards in a safe hidden in your home
- Secure your Wi-Fi and devices to prevent malicious attempts at spying on your internet activity
- Use a paper shredder to destroy bank information, credit cards, and any other piece of paper that may contain personal info
And why should you personally even care about all of this? Because every human being deserves it. It is also your right according to Article 12 of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights that “No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home, or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honor and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.” It is your right to have control over your privacy and how you give out your information.
Learn More About Data Privacy
Companies everywhere are under threat of data breaches and cyber attacks, so it’s imperative that they find talent with the proper mindset about the use and protection of customer and client personal data. Become the data privacy expert that companies are looking for.
