How can you teach your mentees to prioritize data privacy and security?

Start with the basic understanding of what data privacy is. Guide them in determining the consequences of data breaches on the company. Always go with real world examples and the future effects on the business and its data integrity. Now, inculcate some RMF processes through control identification, selection, assessment and some technical brainstorming. We have now gone through a risk assessment and mitigation phase that will ensure data security prioritization. Great job!

I like to use a risk assessment here , what level of risk are a mentee willing to take , its afun game with a serious message to it . A class of high risk takers would require a slightly different approach to data privacy and security

In today's digital age, instilling the importance of data privacy and security in mentees is paramount. Here's how: Education: Conduct workshops or sessions highlighting the risks of data breaches and the significance of data privacy. Best Practices: Share guidelines on password management, two-factor authentication, and avoiding suspicious links or downloads. Real-life Scenarios: Use case studies or real-life incidents to illustrate the consequences of lax data security. How do you emphasize the importance of data privacy in your mentoring? We'd value your personal insights and experiences below!

Examples of telling questions would focus on expertise around data privacy program elements and fluency in applicable laws, rules, and regs based on our business activities.

Begin by assessing your mentees' existing knowledge and awareness regarding data privacy and security. Ask them questions to gauge their familiarity with the topic, including their understanding of potential risks and best practices.

Make it personal - in this day in age, most individuals have experienced a personal data breach. Ask mentees to tell you about it, how they felt when they received the notice, and what (if anything) they wish they had done differently related to that personal data. For example, not signed up for the service/app or storing their credit card information, changed their password more frequently, checked privacy settings, used additional security, or learned more about how the organization was using their data. Walking mentees through these questions offers them a safe space to reflect on the emotional experience of the breach and the opportunity to feel empowered by understanding there are steps they can take to mitigate the impact.

Conduct trainings Trainings on data privacy and protection regulations as well as data security tools and methods will help them detect and prevent breaches.

Always stress how important it is that customers/end users trust you with their data, and that trust is critical. It helps make this more personal.

In my experience, it's crucial to encourage your mentees to develop a healthy scepticism when interacting with technology and handling data. Teach them to question the legitimacy of requests for personal information and to recognize common tactics used by malicious actors, such as phishing emails and social engineering. Building this mindset will empower them to be proactive in safeguarding their data and privacy.

It's crucial to convey the importance of data privacy and security to your mentees by explaining both the "why" and the "how" aspects. Help them understand why data privacy and security are significant, as they go beyond technical considerations and encompass ethical, legal, and business dimensions. Illustrate how these principles directly impact their work, clients, organization, and reputation. Real-world examples, case studies, and scenarios can effectively demonstrate the benefits and risks associated with data privacy and security. Make sure to reference relevant laws, regulations, and policies that pertain to their specific industry, sector, or region as these provide a framework for compliance and best practices.

The best use of a tool is to show what it cannot do if it is set up badly , however, set up properly it can do X and Y for you . Talk about whats on the market and the pros and cons of each platform

Soliciting insight from peers in our industry is vital to understanding the success of tools beyond the sales pitch. Seek out industry forums or create ones where they don’t exist. User groups for established tools are helpful in learning the ins and outs and for properly exploring support from vendors.

Introduce them to various tools and techniques that can help safeguard data. Explain encryption methods, password management, two-factor authentication, and secure communication practices. Demonstrate how to use antivirus software, firewalls, and virtual private networks (VPNs). Show them how to recognize phishing emails and avoid clicking on suspicious links.

Working an incident is the best place to start - when all other privacy program elements failed. Like firefighting, it’s easier to discover the source of the arson (and how to prevent it from happening again) once you’ve fought and expelled the destruction.

Tabletop exercises stand as one of the most effective methods for learning across various domains, and privacy and data protection are no exception to this rule. These exercises, characterized by their immersive and interactive nature, play a crucial role in the education of mentees. They provide a practical, hands-on approach to learning, allowing mentees to apply theoretical knowledge in simulated real-world scenarios. This method not only enhances understanding but also sharpens decision-making skills and fosters critical thinking.

Encourage your mentees to apply what they've learned. Ask them to practice by securing their own devices, setting up strong passwords, and configuring privacy settings on their online accounts. Have them share their experiences and challenges with you, and provide feedback on their efforts. This hands-on experience will reinforce their learning.

Conferences and webinars allow newer privacy pros to hear from experts and develop a network of peers to source ideas and opinions from. Budgets should accommodate this continued learning to benefit the company.

It is important to instill in your mentees a sense that data privacy and security are dynamic and ever-changing concepts. Encourage them to stay committed to continuing their education and updating their knowledge, abilities, and understanding in this sector. Provide them with helpful resources, suggestions, or links to reputable and relevant material, courses, events, or professional networks. Motivate people to actively seek feedback, pose questions, and share their thoughts with you and others who are interested in or have experience with data privacy and security. This collaborative and proactive approach will help them to continue to grow and gain insight into this critical sector.

Stress the dynamic nature of data privacy and security. Encourage your mentees to stay informed about the latest threats and best practices by following reputable sources, attending relevant webinars or conferences, and participating in online communities. Emphasize the need for continuous learning and adaptation to evolving security threats.

I attended the Iapp AI conference and I was impressed at the level of excellence of the training team. What stood out for me was how closely the training team mapped to the written materials. If you have a copy of the written materials, you are in great shape to move forward.

Through my recent experience, I learned that there is an incredible network of data privacy and security experts who are critical in helping to co-create a strategy with organizational leaders. With them, you can develop your structure, and marshal your team. You are then in the best position to help others and coach them. We are deep in the age of digital transformation and what we know is this: the only constant is change. Our data and privacy is paramount. We must be vigilant, knowledgeable, agile, and actively partner with experts we trust.

There's an area which gets missed and that is human error or schoolboy mistakes as they are sometimes called. Show how simple it is to get past the best security if humans are part of that security and the techniques used by people to get passords, login details etc.