Data privacy and data protection are related concepts. However, understanding the differences between them is vital for:
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Security leaders implementing strategies to mitigate risks.
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Compliance teams seeking to avoid regulatory sanctions and penalties.
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Marketing and product teams working to build user trust and brand value.
What is data protection?
Data protection means the measures you implement to secure your data against unauthorized access, theft, or loss. For example:
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Encryption of sensitive files.
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Access controls that restrict who can see what.
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Backups to restore data if there’s a breach or an incident.
Data protection is based on the following core principles:
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Integrity and confidentiality: Only authorized individuals should have access to data.
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Accountability: Organizations must prove they’re handling data correctly.
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Data minimization: Organizations must only collect data that they genuinely need.
What is data privacy?
Whereas data protection is about keeping data secure, data privacy is about who owns the data and how it’s used. Data privacy is concerned with ensuring transparency and respecting the rights of individuals.
Consumers and regulators are entitled to clear answers to the following questions:
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What data are you collecting?
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Why do you need it?
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Who has access to it?
Respecting data privacy is important for your reputation. According to Cisco, 75 percent of consumers won’t buy from companies they don’t trust with their data.
Apple’s slogan What happens on your iPhone stays on your iPhone is an example of data privacy used as a selling point, even if the reality may be more complex.
Around the world, various data privacy regulations set standards for privacy rights and security practices. Examples include the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), and the US federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
Here’s a quick summary of the differences between data privacy and data protection:
A proactive approach is vital
Protecting data and ensuring privacy requires policies, tools, and a strategic approach. Start by:
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Mapping your data flows and categorize your data by sensitivity.
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Assigning data owners across departments.
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Applying the principle of least privilege so that people can only access the data and systems they really need for their roles.
The value of continuous monitoring and threat intelligence
Cyber threats are evolving at an unprecedented pace. Businesses are facing relentless attacks from cybercriminals using increasingly sophisticated techniques. Whether it’s phishing, ransomware, or supply chain compromise, no organization is out of danger.
This is where Cyber threat intelligence (CTI) plays a vital role. CTI helps organizations identify, analyze, and mitigate cyber threats before they cause significant damage. You can use CTI to take a proactive approach to cybersecurity, strengthen your defences, and respond more effectively to incidents.
Solutions like Cybercheck give you continuous insight into the security and privacy of your data. If cybercriminals are trading information about you or your organization, we alert you right away so you can act before attackers strike.
