Data privacy and data security, these two terms are usually interchanged and misunderstood or wrongly used. They sound similar but are actually very different, nevertheless they both have a common goal which is Protecting Data.
What is data security?
Data security is the protection of data from any form of theft, corruption, and unauthorized access through out the life cycle of Data.
It involves everything from the physical security of the storage devices and hardware to administrative access controls and the security of software applications.
Standard methods used in data security involve encryption, data masking, and redaction of sensitive data.
What is data privacy?
Simply put, data privacy enables individuals to decide and limit access to the use and sharing of their personal data.
Protecting personal information ensures that the data is kept secure. This concept is where data privacy transitions to data security and protection.
Difference between data privacy and data security
Data privacy and data security are separate, but related concepts. Both data privacy and security relate to control of the user’s data. However, they have distinct meanings as we have clearly defined earlier. Let us compare them closely.
Data privacy sets about proper usage, collection, retention, deletion, and storage of data while Data security sets the policies, methods, and means to secure personal data.- Data privacy gives prerequisite to data privacy while Data security is the main prerequisite to data privacy.
- Data privacy tools include browser extensions and add-on, password managers, private browsers and email services, encrypted messaging, private search engines, web proxies, file encryption software, and ad and tracker blockers while Data Security tools involve with identity and access management, data loss prevention, anti-malware, anti-virus, event management and data masking software.
- Data privacy doesn’t include the encryption format while It includes the encryption and breach response.
- Data Privacy basically governs how data is collected, shared and used while Data Security basically protects data from compromise by external attackers and malicious insiders.
- An example of Data Privacy is the use of Biometrics, passwords and mobile device verification when you log into your email or social media from a new device. An example of Data security is Encryption, software/hardware, and hard drives are encrypted and therefore rendered unreadable to unauthorized users and hackers.
Conclusion
The risk of data breaches and theft is so high and dangerous, which is why the subject Data Protection, Data privacy and Data Security have become a very key part of Today’s Technology. It is also important to note that both aspects can’t function properly without the other.
In a nutshell, while data privacy and security are different aspects of an organization’s data processing obligations, they are highly dependent on one another. It is rare to find organizations that don’t prioritize data security or data privacy, both aspect of Data protection have become few of the most important tools for businesses to prosper and Technology to thrive in recent times.