For years, you’ve heard us preach: Keep your data safe.

Each January, the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCA) coordinates Data Privacy Week. This worldwide effort generates awareness about the importance of privacy, highlights easy ways to protect personal information and reminds organizations that respecting privacy is good for business.

81% of users say the potential risks they face from companies collecting data outweigh the benefits. (Pew Research Center)

Even if you’re not concerned about data, many on the dark web will pay top dollar for it.

Data privacy for individuals

When you download a new app, open a new online account, or join a new social media platform, you will often be asked for access to your personal information before you can even use it. This data might include your geographic location, contacts, and photos.

Make informed decisions about sharing your data with businesses or services:

• Is the service, app, or game worth the amount or type of personal data they want in return?
• Can you control your data privacy and still use the service?
• Is the data requested even relevant for the app or service (Why does a game need to know all my contacts)?
• If you haven’t used an app, service, or account in several months, is it worth keeping around knowing that it might be collecting and sharing your data?

Protect your data and follow the Core 4

Data privacy and data security go hand-in-hand. Along with managing your data privacy settings, follow some simple cybersecurity tips to keep it safe. We recommend following the Core 4: 

1. Create long (at least 12 characters), unique passwords for each account and device. Use a password manager to store each password – maintaining dozens of passwords securely is now easier than ever.
2. Turn on multi-factor authentication (MFA) wherever it is permitted – this keeps your data safe even if your password is compromised.
3. Turn on automatic device, software, and browser updates, or make sure you install updates as soon as they are available.
4. Learn how to identify phishing messages, which can be sent as emails, texts, or direct messages.

Data privacy for organizations

Respecting the privacy of your customers, staff, and all other stakeholders is critical for inspiring trust and enhancing reputation. According to the Pew Research Center, 79% of U.S. adults report being concerned about the way their data is being used by companies. By being open about how you use data and respecting privacy, you can stand out from your competition.

• Be transparent about how you collect, use, and share consumers’ personal information.
• Think about how the consumer may expect their data to be used.
• Design settings to protect their information by default.
• Communicate clearly and concisely to the public what privacy means to your organization, as well as the steps you take to achieve and maintain privacy.

If you’re interested in expert advice about your company’s security practices, contact us right now for a free consultation.