Excerpt from JDsupra Article – Published on Aug 15, 2023
Amidst your company’s efforts to safeguard customer data, a vital aspect to prioritize is how to effectively secure that data for compliance. Encouragingly, privacy and security aspects share common objectives, forming a productive symbiotic relationship. Nevertheless, the challenge lies in the lack of detail within privacy regulations like GDPR or CPRA regarding security implementation.
While regulations stress the importance of “reasonable security,” they often lack explicit guidance on how to achieve it. This gap in specifics is deliberate, allowing adaptability to technological advancements and evolving threats. Organizations can seek guidance from security industry frameworks, data protection boards, and other sources to determine reasonable security measures based on risk.
Data privacy and security might appear synonymous due to their shared responsibilities, yet they represent distinct realms. Understanding the distinction is crucial, as both are equally vital in your company’s overall data protection strategy: Privacy empowers users to control data access and usage, while security safeguards the data once obtained.
Data Privacy vs. Data Security: Unpacking the Difference
Imagine “privacy” and “security” as curious toddlers:
Privacy, the inquisitive “why,” questions data collection, usage, storage, and sharing. Privacy teams construct the “why” by navigating the regulatory landscape.
Security, the analytical “how,” focuses on data protection methods, encryption, and access control. They determine how secure data should be based on privacy considerations.
Both “why” and “how” should collaborate. Working together, they maintain checks and balances and develop risk mitigation strategies. Their synergy builds trust and a robust privacy program, which are essential in the event of a breach.
Data Security and Privacy: Collaborative Synergy
Privacy and security teams collaborate to ensure the collected data’s protection and controlled access. Privacy designates data sensitivity, while security sets access controls. Beyond reactive fire-fighting, the teams collaborate on proactive measures such as vendor reviews, training data flows, and policy drafting.
In case of a breach, their partnership is tested. Security and privacy teams must assess the impact of data loss and notification needs. A strong partnership streamlines breach mitigation.
For security to thrive, privacy must be well-executed. A robust security plan aligns with effective data collection and understanding its purpose. Collecting only necessary data and employing labeling and classifications contribute to safeguarding mechanisms.
By fostering rapport and a pre-established plan, privacy and security teams ensure a smooth breach mitigation process. Their collaboration enhances data security.
In conclusion, while privacy and security might seem interconnected, understanding their distinctions and promoting collaboration are pivotal. With a proactive approach, these two essential components can effectively protect customer data, maintaining a secure and trustworthy business environment.
To delve deeper into this topic, please read the full article on JDsupra.
