World Data Protection Day 2025

"Data is the DNA of modern life," said Technology Secretary Peter Kyle recently, highlighting the growing debate over data collection and usage. He added how data quietly drives every aspect of our society and economy, from NHS treatments and social interactions to business and banking transactions. Kyle's comments came during the unveiling of the government's new Data Use and Access Bill, which aims to reform existing data protection regulations. The bill focuses on harnessing data's power to improve public services and the economy, while also introducing more controls around special category data.

But how secure is your data when you post a video on TikTok, click on a news article within Facebook, or install a cheap doorbell camera? Data privacy concerns in the UK are skyrocketing. The Information Commissioner's Office dealt with over 36,000 data protection complaints last year alone. A staggering 55% of people reported a data breach, and 69% of these breaches negatively affected their lives, leading to loss of trust, emotional distress, and financial loss.

To mark World Data Protection Day on January 28, we ask Intersys' Head of Security, Jake Ives for his top tips on staying secure. While the Intersys blog offers plenty of advice for organizations and businesses about online safety, this time, we’d like to share useful tips for individuals on how they can keep their data protected online.

Jake’s Tips for Home Users on Staying Safe Online

1. Only enter information on sites that begin with https://: Ensure your interactions are secure, especially on public networks.
2. Use DNS over TLS: Encrypt your DNS queries to increase privacy and prevent hackers from eavesdropping.
3. Use a VPN on public WiFi: Protect your home devices by using a VPN service that doesn’t collect logs.
4. Remove your information from public databases: Services like Incogni can help reduce the risk of scammers and cold callers.
5. Change your Wi-Fi password: Use a unique password for enhanced security.
6. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication: Ensure every account has a separate, unique password stored in a password management vault.

By following these tips, you can significantly enhance your online security and protect your personal data from potential threats.

You can see the full list of Jake's tips here: https://intersys.co.uk/2025/01/27/world-data-protection-day-2025-data-protection-tips-from-intersys/