Data Protection in Law and Technology
It is already a common understanding that the law provides protections against wrongdoing in accordance to upholding public trust; additionally, Tech News Thursday has already discussed the idea of technology and the benefits it has when it comes to safety. This article is essentially going to decipher the benefits and protections one has within both law and technology (specifically data protection).
We live in a data-driven world; sharing data can make life easier, more efficient, and connected for us all, both at home and at work. Broadly speaking, data protection law applies to all workplaces, business ventures, societies, groups, and enterprises of any type, including those of you who are sole traders or self-employed. Not only is there a duty to protect citizens data, but the penalties for violations are also severe. Under the GDPR, serious infringements can result in fines of up to €20M - expressed by the Ministry of Justice in Data Security and Privacy - Security Guidance.
Looking to protecting your data?
It is understandable that there is an abundance of information easily accessible on how to simply protect passwords, desktop computers, laptops, and mobile devices from hackers, malware, and other threats. Note that further information is also provided but this tends not to be so clear and concise to those who are not tech-savvy.
What may prove useful in regards to protecting your data within technology, is the use of encryption, backups, securing wireless networks, firewalls, and even deleting old files from backup clouds (as discussed in Data Protection Tips: Keeping Personal Info Safe | Digital Guardian).
Backing up your data is one of the most simple yet sometimes forgotten data protection strategies. Essentially, this produces a duplicate copy of your data so that if a device is lost, stolen, or compromised, you do not lose any vital information. The article also recommends that small company owners and individuals (or families) encrypt wireless networks with a password; this simply stops unauthorised persons in close vicinity from exploiting your wireless network. Even if they're only trying to obtain free wireless Internet access, you would rather not?disclose confidential information with other individuals who use your network without authorisation.
One of the foundational elements of cybersecurity is controlling access to your business's digital assets and personal information. That being said, Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), the act of requiring multiple forms of verification before granting access, can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access; Role-Based Access Control (RBAC), assigning permissions based on the user's role within the organization, ensures that employees only have access to the information necessary for their job functions; and regularly updating passwords for further security and reassurance is another way in which one can begin to be protected from data breaches.
There are, of course, more technical ways in which one can be protected against data breaches such as Firewall Detection, Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), and Network Segmentation; however, is this truly accessible for individuals and not just corporations?
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In regards to data protection in light of law, would it be beneficial for legal systems to give more control over personal data - much like the Delete Act in California?
Discussed in a previous Tech News Thursday article, one of the purposes of the Act was to provide Californians with more control over how their data and privacy are being used (just as there was previously a right for Californians to request to have their data deleted under the current laws). With the bill, it ensures that all privacy brokers are registered with the CPPA (California Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA) and requires the CPPA itself to regulate the way in which privacy brokers operate in terms of making the deletion of personal privacy easier and more accessible. The Guardian examined this in their recent article ' Californians can scrub personal info sold to advertisers with first-in-US law | Technology | The Guardian ' where they had in fact discussed the matter from the perspective of an organisation, e.g., Delete Me CEO, Rob Shavell, discussing the new bill and the possibilities it will bring for brokers.
Do you think this Bill would be beneficial or detrimental to the English legal system if it were to be applied?
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