We live in a time where it’s nearly impossible to go for a few days without reading a news story about data breaches, and hacks that expose millions of personal details to cybercriminals. In the wake of this, people are looking for ways to ensure that their information is secure online.
It’s crucial to know how to protect the personal information that is incorporated into your digital business in order to meet your legal obligations and protect the privacy of your customers. Here are a few guidelines to assist.
1. Identify Personal Data
Personal data, as defined in laws protecting data, is any information that can identify an individual or can be used to do so. In the age of technology this could include anything from emails to biometrics. However, many data that is private can be omitted from the definition of personal data if there are specific qualifying circumstances. If, for example, an organisation collects data on a variety of individuals and asks them to identify their professions that isn’t personal information since it cannot be used to identify a specific individual.
Many companies are required by law to limit the amount of personal information they collect. This is usually beneficial, since it reduces the likelihood of a data breach. Most data protection laws also require a higher level of security for sensitive personal data than regular personal information. This is due to the fact that a breach of security could cause more harm or consequences for the data subject.
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