All around the world, businesses have adapted to digital transformation, with data now being stored digitally on local (on-premise) systems, on cloud services or a hybrid mix of both.

This has increased sensitive data’s vulnerability to cyber-attacks, which is why the government has laid down many data legislation which dictates companies on their data governance. This ensures data protection from both cyber-attacks and data misuse due to insider threats.

Some people get confused about the importance of data privacy and become careless about data protection. This can lead to data breaches, compromising data privacy.

In this article, we discuss what data privacy is, its importance, the issues faced with its security, and various important data legislation.

What Is Data Privacy?

Data privacy is the necessity to keep certain data about individuals protected from malicious practitioners. A data breach can lead to exposure of personal information, breaching privacy legislation and regulations.

It is imperative to care about data privacy in this modern-day era of data and information, where third-parties can easily keep a track on your data usage. For example, when visiting websites which have cookies enabled, all your activities, and demographics can be recorded.

Other types of data privacy include:

• Financial Privacy

• Medical Privacy

• Residential & Geological Privacy

• Biometrics Privacy

These vary depending on international, local and industry specific legislation; which is often complex and difficult to easily navigate.

Why Is It Important?

Data has become a very important commodity for businesses and individuals. Leaking sensitive data can lead to huge losses in terms of both financial penalties and reputational damage.

In this digital age where cyber-attacks are increasing, it is crucial for businesses to protect their data by taking various data security measures.

A data breach can expose sensitive data like health status, biometrics, political opinions, genetic data, etc. This can be a significant concern for businesses across all industries and jurisdictions.

Data security can help individual or businesses to:

• Avoid Data Theft

• Prevent Data leak

• Protect Data integrity

Problems with Data Security

The digital transformation came with certain vulnerabilities which potentially hamper data security and may lead to exposing personal or sensitive data.

Some of the problems which an individual or a business face with data protection include:

• Pre-defining sensitive data

• Confusion of who to give what data access rights

• Difficulty in coping with new types of cyber-attacks

Data Legislation

In Australia, more than 10 million people have been affected in the past by a single data breach¹. This is the reason why the Australian government enforces data legislation on companies.

Key data-related legislation includes:

• Assistance & Access Bill 2018

• Consumer Data Right

• The Privacy Act and Australian Privacy Principles (APP’s)

• Privacy & Personal Information Protection Act 1998 (New South Wales)

Conclusion

It is high time for businesses and individuals to understand the importance of data privacy.

In this era of information, data protection needs to be the highest priority to safeguard organisations and individuals from the consequences of data breaches.

For more information, visit www.dataresilience.com.au or drop us a note at [email protected]