Do you have processes in place to keep your data safe and compliant?
The importance of data privacy and data security has grown exponentially as organizations today collect and store more information than ever before.
Having a robust data protection strategy is critical to safeguard confidential information and to ensure smooth functioning of your business. But before we move on, let’s take a step back to understand the key concepts of data privacy and data security.
The terms data privacy and data security are often misunderstood and are being used interchangeably. However, they are two separate concepts.
Now let’s take a closer look at the difference between the two.
The Difference Between Data Privacy And Data Security
Does your business require data privacy, or does it need data security?
The answer: It probably needs both.
While data privacy focuses on how information is handled, stored and used, data security is concerned with protecting your organization’s assets.
- Data Privacy: the process of safely handling and storing sensitive data
- Data Security: the strategy to protect data from cyberthreats
As you can see, your business most likely needs both processes in order to remain protected and compliant.
Now let’s take a closer look at how each operates.
Understanding Data Privacy & Why You Need It
Data privacy deals with the regulations and practices to ensure data is responsibly handled. It includes how information is collected, processed, stored and disseminated.
Any organization that collects and stores data or does business across the globe should comply with several privacy regulations, such as:
- General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
- California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA)
- Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
- Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS)
- Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)
In addition to the privacy regulations named above, your business should also comply with other relevant privacy laws.
The aim of these regulations is to protect and enhance consumer and personal privacy. These rules give individuals the right to know what information is collected, why it’s collected and how it’s processed.
As data privacy regulations are growing globally and becoming more complex, privacy requirements are also changing. Non-compliance to these laws could cost your business dearly.
Did you know? In 2019, Google was fined $57 million under the European Union’s GDPR law.
The Importance of Data Privacy
Data privacy is an individual’s right to control who has access to personal information and how it should be used. This also protects personal information from being sold or redistributed to third parties.
When organizations collect customer data, it is the organization’s responsibility to protect and preserve their clients’ sensitive information. Not having a privacy policy in place or failure to complywith privacy laws can lead to serious consequences, apart from legal actions and financial loss.
Now that you understand data privacy, let’s dive deeper into what data security is and why it’s also important to your business.
Understanding Data Security & Why You Need It
Data security is the process of protecting information from unauthorized access, data corruption and data loss. A data security process includes various techniques, data management practices, and technologies that act as defense mechanisms to protect data from internal and external threats.
Data security is concerned with what an organization does with the data collected, where and how the data is stored, and regulates who can access the information.
A comprehensive data security strategy will:
- Help prevent data breaches
- Ensure business continuity
- Keep your company’s data safe from cyberthreats
Did you know? It is estimated that organizational spending on cybersecurity will reach $123 billion in 2020.
Importance of Data Security
Have you heard the expression, “Data is the new oil”?
Coined by Clive Robert Humby in 2006, this term stands true in today’s competitive business environment. Data security is critical for the smooth functioning of day-to-day operations and running a business successfully.
Failure to protect your organization’s confidential data can:
- Damage your brand’s value
- Result in regulatory penalties
- Shut down your business for good
The alarming rate at which cyberattacks are growing has forced organizations of all sizes to consider data security as a top priority.
Depending upon the purpose, type of industry, or geographical location, your business can implement security compliance frameworks and international standards, such as:
- The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
- The International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
- Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS)
These compliance frameworks provide guidance and best practices for information security. Each of the standards above were designed to help you:
- Assess your IT security measures
- Manage cyber risks and threats
- Respond to security incidents
- Improve your information security management system
Now that you’re familiar with both terms, let’s take an even closer look at the key differences between the two.
The Difference Between Data Privacy and Data Security
In simple terms, data privacy and data security are two sides of the same coin. They are separate concepts but are closely related.
Achieving data security doesn’t ensure data privacy and vice versa, but both are required to establish a comprehensive data protection strategy.
Knowing the difference between these terms will help you:
- Strategize more effectively
- Prevent data breaches
- Stay legally compliant
Let’s distinguish the two concepts with a hypothetical example.
Assume you own a laptop, where you store personal information. To avoid people from accessing those files, you pasted a sticker on the cover that reads “Do Not Touch.” But in order to add an extra layer of privacy, in case people don’t read or ignore the sticker, you locked the computer with a secure password.
Do you know which is data privacy and which is data security?
There are two things to note here:
- The ‘Do Not Touch’ sticker tells people to keep away from your laptop, thereby authorizing your privacy.
- The password ensures no one can access your data, thereby protecting your data from unauthorized access.
As a result, the sticker represents your data privacy, while the password resembles your data security.
Are you ready to put both processes in place so your data is ultra-protected?
How to Achieve Data Privacy and Security While Being Legally Compliant
Achieving data privacy and data security and complying with several laws have their own set of challenges. Even large organizations struggle to understand and implement the right security management and compliance measures.
But that doesn’t need to be the case for your business.
Read on to find out how you can keep your data safe and compliant starting right now.
Team Up With IT Experts To Keep Your Data Safe & Compliant
While you may have a better understanding of data privacy and data security, it’s still best to team up with an IT expert. That way, you will ensure you’re protected and compliant.
Are you ready to join countless other businesses who are adapting to keep their data private and secure?
Improve Your Data Security With Third Power IT
Miami’s Most Trusted Managed IT Services
At Third Power IT, we have a robust team of IT Compliance & security experts you can trust to help you implement both of these important practices.
As the most trusted provider of managed IT services in South Florida, we are confident we can help you protect your data and remain compliant.
We know one size doesn’t fit all when it comes to cybersecurity, which is why we are happy to build custom packages to fit your unique needs.
Connect with us now at 844-677-3687 to start building your custom IT compliance & security package now.
Article curated and used by permission.
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