Data privacy centers on the right to protect personal information online. This includes anything from names, birthdates and Social Security numbers to shopping patterns, medical records and browsing habits. The average organization today collects massive amounts of consumer data, and it has a responsibility to ensure that this data remains private, not just as an act of conscience but as a necessity for regulatory compliance, customer loyalty and competitive advantage.
Although sometimes seen as one and the same, data protection is more focused on protecting data from malicious attacks and exploiting stolen information for profit. In fact, many security tools and services, such as backup and disaster recovery (DR), also fall under the umbrella of data protection.
Both of these processes are critical to protecting sensitive information. For example, a DR solution may help you keep your applications, systems and other IT resources up and running after an outage or natural disaster. Authentication and authorization are other key components of data protection. These processes verify the identity of individuals and limit access to certain files to only those who are authorized. These features can be used to protect proprietary research, intellectual property and financial data.
A focus on data privacy is essential to building trust with consumers and clients, establishing business reputation, maintaining compliance with regulations and maintaining ethical practices. It is also key to preserving individual autonomy and encouraging innovation by allowing individuals to control how their data is used, where it goes and by whom.
About the Author
