Data, Information and Privacy Protection

For those who’ve known me a while, you know this is an important topic to me. Our data, information and privacy at home, work and for business remains a critical issue for all ages.

Let’s start off by reviewing the differences between protecting our data, information and privacy. Terms are often confused and/or used interchangeably, and why it’s important for all of us.

First the Definitions!

Privacy

Privacy addresses who can access and handle your sensitive and important data and information. Think about all the health, financial and information that personally identifies you at home and work.

Data and Information Protection

1. Data and information protection addresses what’s important and how we secure it from prying eyes. It’s important to identify and recognize what you collect, use and where your data and information is stored.
2. Now it’s time to formulate a strategy to prevent loss or theft of what’s collected, used and stored personally and professionally.
3. What data and information is the most important to you? Do you use it daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, annually or is it important enough to hold onto?
4. If you lost everything, what impact would it have for you personally or professionally?

Data and Information To Protect and Keep Private

Start early and review often. Creative methods are used by those seeking our data and information for use in fraudulent identities to exploit us at home and work. How do you know what data and information should be protected? Ask yourself:

• Is it protected by a copyright, trademark or patent?
• Does it contain trade secrets or confidential information?
• Could it be used to identify you?
• Social Security Number
• Drivers License Number
• Passport
• Birth Certificate
• Marriage Certificate
• Divorce Decree
• Military Service Record / Discharge Certificate
• Survivor Benefits
• IRS Tax Filings
• Business Ownership Documents
• Company ID’s
• Medical Insurance ID/Policies
• Property Title(s)
• Life Insurance Policies
• Long-term Care Insurance Policies
• Credit Card Number(s)
• Credit Report(s)
• Vehicle Titles / Registration
• Bank Accounts
• Pension Plan(s)
• Retirement Plan(s)
• Stock, Bond, Mutual Fund Accounts
• Computer equipment, systems and software programs
• Tracking devices (i.e. Geo Tags used for pictures/videos, Location tracking (GPS) on smartphones, Apps, etc.)
• 3rd party “helpers” that collect personal data (anything from appliances to monitoring systems at home and work)
• +++ – you get the idea 

Artificial Intelligence (AI), Biometric Identifiers and Facial Recognition

The “good guys” and “bad guys” are using advanced technology to identify us and/or misidentify us. Behavioral and physical characteristics we possess are being used more frequently. Ethics and privacy advocates been busy since Covid, asking what the price to our data and privacy will ultimately cost us.

Tracking companies use and sell information collected from AI, Biometric Identifiers and Facial Recognition to firms who are targeting us by our demographics. The information collected provides upside with healthcare diagnosis advancement and the downside with flaws identifying people who do not match a generic mold.

Keep an eye out for these technologies in the coming months/years. Depending on your familiarity, profession, age and desire to learn – pay attention or have someone pay attention. Technology is moving fast!

Image by 200 Degrees from Pixabay

Protection Moving Forward

If you’re interested in learning about Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security, check out the Agency’s official government website designed to help any sector or organization assess risk and threats: https://www.cisa.gov/insider-threat-mitigation

Be on the lookout for “phishing schemes” via email, text messages and phone calls. Take a second look at links you receive and websites without the “https” extra layer of security. We race through our days, clicking away! Pay attention and stay clear of anything suspicious.

Our experiences are unique. It’s important to consider your unique variables to protect and tailor what’s best for you/yours. The Living Planner is here to help you understand what’s at risk, what’s to gain and how to approach life in preparation for anything with realism, humor and compassion.

For additional information my work, check out my website: https://thelivingplanner.com or Email me with questions/comments: [email protected]

Stay well –Lynn

#CareForPeople #StepInStepUp #LifeHacks