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The Distinctions Between Data Privacy and Data Security

by Anas Baig on September 20, 2022

Enterprises should separate data security and privacy by taking steps toward creating a comprehensive data protection framework. Unfortunately, data security and privacy concepts are often confusing and used interchangeably. Inseparable from one another, they have a natural connection. A good understanding of policies and concepts, proper implementation of processes, and intelligent use of technology can go a long way in avoiding data abuse or loss.

Data Privacy and Security: The Differences

Problems with data privacy and security have plagued computer users since the early days. Consumers’ private information became a commodity alongside the internet’s rapid rise to prominence. That is due to how businesses use information nowadays. However, depending on the data, companies risk themselves more significantly.

Substantial economic costs and complex reputational ramifications continue to grow in enterprises today. There has been a worldwide surge in business compliance measures in response to the rapidly changing global legislation around data protection. Concurrently, consumers are learning more about the legal protections they have regarding their data privacy and how to exercise those protections.

Businesses must set up safeguards to protect customers’ sensitive information and comply with the rapidly evolving consumer privacy legislation. Now that the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and other similar laws have come to light, companies are rushing to create data protection programs. For the most encompassing data protection framework, enterprises should separate data security and data privacy in their departments through proper program development.

In general, these are the three key points you should know when it comes to data privacy and data security:

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Businesses’ reliance on data has led to the commoditization of customers’ data.
Rapid changes in data protection laws throughout the world have prompted widespread company compliance programs.
A company’s data protection program should consider data privacy and security.

What is Data Privacy?

Data privacy, sometimes known as data governance, is the management of personal data, including how you collect, use and share it. The strictness and uniformity of implementing data privacy rules and regulations can vary widely from one jurisdiction to another.

Businesses and people benefit from tight regulations to safeguard private information, which is becoming increasingly apparent worldwide. The General Data Protection Regulation by the European Union is the most stringent law to date, and it has served as a model for other nations’ privacy obligations.

The proposed Digital Charter Implementation Act in Canada and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) are among them. The Lei Geral de Proteção de Dados Pessoais (LGPD) is a notable example too in Brazil. Data privacy is impossible without a robust data security foundation and technology solutions, even with established and proposed regulations.

What is Data Security?

Data security is more concerned with shielding data from internal and external threats. While implementing data security rules and processes can help prevent cyberattacks and incidental usage, this is usually not enough to satisfy privacy regulators.

Data security covers the solutions and techniques to safeguard digital data at all points, from endpoints through networks to the network perimeter.

A robust data security policy should serve as the pillar for your data security procedures, and it should encompass three essential areas: people, processes, and technology solutions. This policy will help reinforce privacy and protect sensitive and private data.

Data Privacy vs. Data Security

Data security is different from data privacy. The former refers to the rules, procedures, and technological safeguards to prevent unauthorized access to or manipulation of stored information. Businesses cannot automatically meet data privacy by using data security measures. The collection, sharing, and use of private data should comply with applicable laws and regulations.

Data security prevents unauthorized access to data, whereas data privacy focuses on the appropriate administration and use of such data. Data security policy stops anyone from accessing data in the first place. Encryption, tokenization, and user authentication are just a few tools that may strengthen a business’ security stance.

Enterprises can address data privacy issues by collecting, processing, and storing data following applicable law and with the client’s knowledge and consent. Regarding data transparency, customers have the right to know what data companies gather, collect, and share.

Data privacy relies on treating data with due regard for the privacy of individuals. There is a need for data security measures to guarantee the anonymity of acquired data.

Why Should Companies Care?

Businesses cannot operate without data and constantly collect more of it from various sources. Companies should access relevant data to serve their customers better and react swiftly to changes in the stock market and other unpredictable events. Employing consistent data practices with industry benchmarks is a crucial driver of corporate strategy for many enterprises. Controls to effectively secure and retain personal data must constantly evolve to keep up with the volume and complexity of data produced in the regular course of business.

The compromise of sensitive data might have a devastating effect on any organization, no matter how big or little, making data security an absolute priority. It can be challenging to develop a data protection scheme due to the need to account for both new technology and the constantly evolving sophistication of cybercriminals. A good data protection policy should reduce the quantity of private information companies store and ensure the safety of sensitive information in its hands.

In a data breach, a data protection program can assist restore lost information, limiting the damage done by the incident. In light of the proliferation of laws meant to safeguard consumers’ personal information, it is crucial that organizations first differentiate data privacy and data security before implementing any protection program.

Final Words

Starting this year, a plethora of new data privacy rules and regulations will take effect, presumably leading to stricter enforcement by government agencies. The increasing number of devices needing supervision and security measures will only add to the difficulty of meeting the evolving regulatory standards. This category includes IoT gadgets, sensors, manufacturing equipment, mobile phones, and even wearables like smartwatches. Such devices need protection from unauthorized access or dissemination of personal information.

While organizations worldwide are working hard to comply, they should remember that the goal of compliance is not static. When it comes to data security, companies should not relax at any time. After establishing data security, the business should maintain and improve it regularly. Once the program is up and working, maintaining it is not difficult. That is true, especially if the organization recognized and handled data security and privacy issues individually while planning and executing them.

To better understand how important privacy is to consumers, why not try browsing the internet behind a proxy? Here is when an IPRoyal proxy selection can come in handy. With millions of residential and data center proxies, you will be able to understand just how paramount it is for customers to protect their privacy as they go about their usual online activities.

Anas Baig

Anas Baig is a Cyber Security Expert, a computer science graduate specializing in internet security, science and technology. Also, a Security Professional with a passion for robots & IoT devices. Follow him on Twitter @anasbaigdm, or email him directly.