Data Privacy Day in the U.S. is January 28, 2021. It is an extension of the Data Protection Day celebration in Europe. Data Protection Day commemorates the Jan. 28, 1981, signing of Convention 108, the first legally binding international treaty dealing with privacy and data protection.
Why is Data Privacy Day important?
In this era with the rapid advancement in technology, having relevant data is the key to the success of any organization. Almost every organization is collecting and combining the data in order to put the right content, in front of the right person, at the right time, and on the right platform.
The data is collected from the users or customers who submit their personal information trusting the firm will keep the data private. Users provide their personal information to the companies with the trust of receiving a better service and with the trust that their data is private, safe, and secure. But when the goes into the wrong hands and data privacy fails, bad things can happen. Data breaches result in cyber-criminals misusing user information for scams and identity theft. That is why everyone needs to “Own Your Their Data Privacy.” Here are resources to help you “Own Your Data Privacy.”
Update your Privacy Settings
Your purchase history, IP address, location, etc., has value – just like money. (How else does Mark Zuckerberg make his $100 billons?) Make informed data privacy decisions about sharing your data with companies. Consider the amount of personal information you are giving up and weigh it against the benefits you may receive. Use these resources provided by the National CyberSecurity Alliance (NCSA) to update your privacy settings on popular devices and online services.
Keep tabs on your apps
Many apps ask for access to personal information, like geographic location, contacts list, or photo album, before you can use their services. Be wary of apps that require access to information that is not required or relevant for the services they are offering. Use these tips from the Data Detox Kit, to protect your data privacy. Keep your apps up to date. Delete unused apps on your devices.
Manager your passwords!
You don’t need to be overwhelmed by all your log-ins and passwords. Use a password manager to keep your data private and track your strong passwords. Add an extra layer of protection by activating Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) whenever it is available. With 2FA, even if a cybercriminal steals your password, they won’t be able to access your account.
Take action!
- Make sure your computer is free from known viruses, spyware, and discover if your computer is vulnerable to cyber-attacks. Use these Free Security Check-Up resources from NCSA to protect your data privacy.
- Check your online safety know-how with a privacy and security quiz. Get started with the National Privacy Test and Google Phishing Quiz. To measure how good you are at protecting your privacy.
Join the National Cyber Security Alliance – and LinkedIn on January 28, 9 a.m. for the signature video conference event Data Privacy in an Era of Change. It gathers data privacy experts from industry, government, academia, and non-profit for keynotes, panels, and discussions on current topics in data privacy – Register here.- Show your support for Data Privacy Day by using one of the International Association of Privacy Professionals’ official Data Privacy Day virtual backgrounds for video collaborations.
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Data Privacy Day reminds us of the value of our data and the rights for data transparency. It is the day that tells us to re-evaluate and identify the flaws in how we have been collecting, sharing, and using the data. The day persuades us to find a way to patch the loopholes so that our valuable data do not get tampered with malicious malware, misused, or lost.
Stay safe out there!
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Ralph Bach has been in IT long enough to know better and has blogged from his Bach Seat about IT, careers, and anything else that catches his attention since 2005. You can follow him on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. Email the Bach Seat here.
2022 is in the history books.
2022 low lights in the United States included; mass shootings across the U.S., the highest inflation in four decades, food prices spiked, and gasoline prices in the U.S. reached $5 a gallon. The U.S. Supreme Court overturned Row v. Wade after nearly 50 years, Florida enacted homo-phobic “Don’t say gay” laws and the the rudeness pandemic.
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