This year, Data Privacy Week is January 27-31 and we’re sharing awareness about the importance of protecting your privacy. You’re probably thinking to yourself, well that sounds great but what does that mean to me and my company?
Data Privacy Week is about protecting the privacy of your data (both personal and professional) and includes protecting the privacy of your customers’ data. Many of us still take for granted what happens to our data, how it is used, and where it ends up. Data Privacy Week is all about taking back control of your data and purposefully controlling how it is used by the services you have signed up for and any downstream vendors those apps or services use.
Why Data Privacy Day?
Is there really a need for Data Privacy Week? Can’t I just rely on the companies running my services, my apps, and laws and regulations? Unfortunately, all those providers, groups, and organizations fall short of truly protecting you and your privacy. While many of them are actively trying to improve on cybersecurity best practices to protect your data they continue to have a long way to go.
A growing number of US states have begun enacting their own data privacy laws that continue to be updated and revised. Many changes have also been made to privacy laws and regulations around the world, including these most notable protections:
- General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) – EU (2018)
- Data Protection Act – UK (2018)
- California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) – USA (2020)
- Brazilian General Data Protection Law (LGPD) – Brazil (2020)
- Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) Amendments – Singapore (2020)
- Personal Information Protection Law (PIPL) – China (2021)
- Act on the Protection of Personal Information (APPI) Amendments – Japan (2022)
- Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act (VCDPA) – USA (2023)
- Colorado Privacy Act (CPA) – USA (2023)
- California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA) – USA (2023)
- The Data Protection and Digital Information Bill – UK (Expected 2025)
These regulations reflect the increasing recognition of privacy as a fundamental human right and are shaping the global landscape of data protection. While they are a great starting point, these laws are merely a baseline. Companies and consumers must continue to be vigilant to protect their data from legal and illegal use, misuse, and theft.
How To Manage Your Data Privacy Settings
With the help of BeSafeOnline.org, we compiled an interactive infographic PDF to help review and update privacy settings to the most popular apps and online services. Download the PDF HERE.
More Ways To Be Privacy Aware
— Review which mobile apps and services you use—do you really need them?
— Use Dark Web monitoring to see if your accounts and their credentials have been compromised and shared.
— Follow Password best practices—yes, its 2020 and we are still talking about passwords.
Be A Privacy Champion
We all need to take a stake in our privacy and protecting our data. Additionally, you must protect the data and privacy of your clients and your business. While none of this is easy, taking the time to acknowledge the importance of your privacy and data during Data Privacy Week is a great first step. Review the links in this post or reach out to us if you need help. Be a data privacy champion at your organization, at home, and help others do the same. Stay cyber safe!
Written by: Chris Zambuto | Chief Information Security Officer @CMITBostonCambridge
