What is the Difference Between Data Privacy and Data Security
It’s not surprising that data privacy and security are occasionally confused and used interchangeably. They have a fundamental connection, yet they are also distinct ideas. These concepts, along with the accompanying policies, procedures, and technology, have a common ground that can assist in preventing the purposeful or unintentional abuse or loss of data entrusted to your company by customers and workers. The GDPR provides clear guidelines on what companies must do to ensure their systems and processes are compliant with GDPR regulations. Have a peak at these GDPR vs CCPA comparison here to pick which one is better suited for company!
This post will discuss the parallels and contrasts between the two. The inseparability of the two will also become apparent.
When Talking About Data, What Exactly Do We Mean by “Privacy?”
Protecting private data and information ensures secure collection, archiving, access, and use. Individuals’ rights concerning control over their data are at the heart of this issue. In much simpler words, data privacy entails managing one’s personal data. The strictness and uniformity with which data privacy rules and regulations are enforced might vary significantly from one jurisdiction to the next.
What Laws Protect and Uphold Data Privacy?
Countries around the world are beginning to see that tight regulations to safeguard private information are beneficial to both corporations and their clients.
The General Data Protection Legislation (GDPR) enacted by the European Union is the most stringent regulation to date, and it has served as a model for other countries’ privacy mandates. The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), the Lei Geral de Protecao de Dados (LGPD) in Brazil, and the planned Digital Charter Implementation Act in Canada are just a few examples of recent and upcoming data protection laws.
Is Data Privacy Alone Enough?
There are many things in the Data Privacy Laws in 2022 that users and companies should know to uphold data privacy. However, while these laws and proposals are significant steps toward protecting personal information, they will not be effective unless a robust data security infrastructure and appropriate technology solutions are also in place.
Learning the Meaning and Implications of Data Security
In contrast to data privacy, which is concerned with disclosing information, data security is concerned with safeguarding information from external and internal sources of danger. While implementing data security policies and processes can help prevent cyberattacks and accidental usage, this is usually not enough to satisfy privacy regulators.
The term “data security” refers to a business’s real solutions to safeguard digital data throughout its entire infrastructure. The foundation of your data security measures should be a well-thought-out strategy that addresses three main areas: the people, the processes, and the technology that will be used to enforce the policies established to safeguard the sensitive and private information you store.
A Real-World Look at Data Privacy and Security
Let’s examine a realistic scenario to understand these ideas better. You may be asked to agree to a privacy agreement before installing a mobile app on your smartphone. From there, the app may request access to more data on your phone, such as your contacts, location, and images. If you opt to give an app access to sensitive information, it is on the app to keep that information secure and private, which isn’t always the case.
The Crucial Role of Data Security in Modern Enterprise
Safeguards are in place to prevent hackers from gaining access to sensitive information on websites, computers, and other data storage devices. This method can also secure data against accidental deletion or malicious alteration. Today, no business, no matter how big or little, can afford to ignore the importance of data security. Inadequate preparation for protecting sensitive data can have significant consequences for businesses.
Always Accepting Terms and Agreements: Why it is Dangerous
It would be unethical and breach data privacy if an app’s creator resold the data you provided to a marketer or third party without your knowledge. It would be another invasion of your privacy and a security flaw if the app developer suffered a breach that exposed your information to attackers.
It may be because of faulty and lack of security measures resulting in the corruption of data security. In both cases, the developer did not take adequate precautions to safeguard your personal information.
So, What is Really the Difference Between Data Privacy and Security?
To sum it up, data privacy and data security are two entirely different concepts. Respecting users’ right to privacy requires thoughtful consideration of how data is used, collected, stored, deleted, and retained. Information safeguards or data security include procedures, practices, and technology for keeping sensitive data safe.
Google’s handling of your information during account management is an example of data privacy. In contrast, using a password to protect your Google Gmail account is an example of data security.
Mugged House Analogy to Further Differentiate Data Privacy and Security
For instance, the absence of a window allows an attacker to enter the premises and violate the safety and privacy of its people.
Once installed, the window will do a respectable job of preventing trespassers from gaining access to the building. It won’t, however, stop them from peering inside and violating the residents’ right to secrecy; not without a curtain, anyway. To (over)simplify, the window represents a security measure, while the curtain represents a privacy measure.
Can One Exist Without the Other?
The former does not necessitate the latter, but the latter cannot function without the former. This means that privacy cannot exist without data security. Why? Because without security measures, information is vulnerable to negating privacy. Data privacy also relies heavily on information security.
The Role of Data Security in Protecting Personal Information Upholding Data Privacy
Data privacy aims to prevent any unauthorized use or disclosure of stored information at any point in time. Data security aims to prevent unauthorized access to or use stored information and protect an individual’s privacy. Effective measures to protect personal information must also ensure that the data is secure.
That is why there is a need for a properly secured and sustainable data center for collecting, managing, and retrieving users’ data.
Why has the Application of Data Security Never Been Needed than it is Right Now?
The remarkable growth in network traffic can be attributed to the massive amounts of data transferred in today’s cloud and data center settings. The current era we find ourselves in has been dubbed the “zettabyte era” by The Economist. Managing and securing the transmission of private or sensitive data at every possible point is the most sensible response to the massive volume of traffic generated. Both proactive businesses and global authorities have made tremendous advances.
Here are considerations why data security is much more crucial than ever:
- Integrity and Accuracy Protect Users from Cyber-Attacks. Both privacy and security depend on the fact that information can be trusted to be correct and unaltered at all times.
- The Proliferation of Cyber-Attacks can be Avoided with Access Control Systems. In this age of rapidly developing technology, privacy and security depend on the fact that information can be trusted to be correct and unaltered at all times.
- Cybersecurity Fears could Lead to Stricter Accountability Regulations. A company’s data policy should be comprehensive, covering confidentiality and safety.
Overall, Data Privacy is to Information Protection, and Data Security Equates to Implementation
Because of this, we learned why protecting sensitive information in today’s data-driven economy is crucial. Since all of life is a race and everyone requires fuel, the only thing that matters is making the right decision to preserve sensitive information and maintain personal privacy. Companies, corporations, and policymakers should also be stricter in upholding and implementing data privacy and security regulations.
