A lot of our personal data has become valuable nowadays, and a lot more exposed with the tools we tend to use in our daily lives today. As data protection became more important than ever, with individuals and organizations striving to protect sensitive information from unauthorized access, misuse and breaches.
Significance of Data Protection
There are a number of reasons for why data protection is vital:
Identity Theft: Cybercriminals can use stolen personal data, such as SSNs, credit cards, and addresses to steal identities and commit fraud.
Loss of Money − Data breaches can cram an individual as well as an organization with huge losses.
Data Exposure: Breach of sensitive data can hurt the organisation’s reputation and loss of confidence from customers.
Mass surveillance and data collection can undermine civil liberties and democratic freedom — performing the work of business and government actors, but with little democratic accountability or transparency.
Fundamental Principles of Data Protection
There are a number of key principles behind data protection:
1) Fairness and lawfulness: Data must be collected and processed fairly and lawfully.
Limited Purpose — Personal data must be obtained for x and possibly only for certain specified, explicit and legitimate purposes.
Data Minimization: Only the essential data should be collected
2.Veracity: The data has to be accurate and current.
Limitation of storage: It only must remain as long as necessary to the purpose of its treatment.
Integrity and confidentiality: Protection against unauthorized access, use or disclosure, destruction or modification of data
AccountabilityOrganizations must be accountable for complying with data protection principles.
Protecting Your Data
Here are a few tips to protect your personal data:
Complex Passwords- Every online account you possess should have its own password, strong enough.
Use Two-Step Authentication: Provide more protection to your accounts.
Data Sharing – You should be careful to share your data online.
Use privacy-oriented browsers and apps: Also use browsers and apps that respect the privacy of users.
Keep your privacy settings in check: Make sure you are regularly checking your privacy settings on social media and other online platforms.
Keep Yourself Updated: Have all the updates regarding the data privacy scenario.
Demand Data Protection: Work for stronger data protection laws.
With awareness of the need for data privacy and action, we can all protect our online selves and ensure a future that does not violate our right to privacy.
