Be Your Own Data Guardian: Simple Steps to Secure Your Personal Information Online

When it comes to securing our personal data online, we are often our own worst enemies.

Weak passwords, lack of two-factor authentication, and falling for phishing scams are just a few of the ways we put our own data at risk.

In this post, we provide simple and effective tips and best practices for protecting your personal information online, so you can be your own data guardian.

While taking steps to secure our personal data is important, is it enough to protect us from the growing threat of data breaches and cyber attacks? And how can we ensure that the burden of protecting our data does not fall disproportionately on the most vulnerable members of society?

It's essential to recognise that no system is completely secure. Therefore, have robust protections in place in the event of a data breach or cyber attack.

Governments and organisations are increasingly providing education and resources to help individuals understand their rights and responsibilities with regard to personal data and how to protect their personal data from unauthorised access, use, disclosure, or destruction. (Not unlike this article.)

By adopting a comprehensive approach to data security, you can protect yourself from harm and minimise the impact of data breaches when they do occur.

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Stay informed about relevant laws and policies

Research and understand the data protection laws and regulations that apply to your situation, and sign up for alerts and notifications from relevant authorities. This can help you understand your rights and responsibilities, and take action to protect your personal data in the event of a data breach or cyber attack.

• In the EU, the GDPR grants individuals certain rights with regard to their personal data, including the right to access their personal data, the right to have their personal data erased, the right to object to the processing of their personal data, and the right to receive information about the collection and use of their personal data.
• The UK Data Protection Act grants similar rights.
• In Australia, the Privacy Act grants individuals certain rights including the right to access their personal data, the right to have their personal data corrected, and the right to complain to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner if they believe their rights have been violated.
• In California, the CCPA grants California residents certain rights including the right to access their personal data, the right to have their personal data deleted, the right to opt out of the sale of their personal data, and the right to receive equal services and pricing even if they exercise their privacy rights.
• In Singapore, the PDPA grants individuals rights including the right to access their personal data, the right to correct their personal data, and the right to withdraw consent for the collection, use, or disclosure of their personal data.

Take steps to protect your personal data

As an individual, there are several steps you can take to help protect your personal data from unauthorised access, use, disclosure, or destruction:

1. Use strong and unique passwords for each of your online accounts. Avoid using the same password for multiple accounts, and avoid using easily guessable passwords such as your name or date of birth.
2. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your online accounts. This will add an extra layer of security by requiring you to enter a code sent to your phone or email in addition to your password when logging in.
3. Install security software, such as antivirus and firewall software, on your devices. This will help protect your devices from malware and other cyber threats.
4. Regularly review and update your security practices. This includes keeping your security software up to date, changing your passwords regularly, and being aware of potential threats such as phishing attacks.

Of course, these steps can’t guarantee the prevention of a data breach. You need to be ready to respond.

In the event of a breach, take action to protect your personal data and minimise the impact

In the event of a data breach or cyber attack, it is important to have a plan in place to respond quickly and effectively.

Your personal data breach response plan might look like this:

1. Secure your personal data. This may involve taking steps such as changing your passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and installing security software on your devices.
2. Notify relevant authorities. This may include contacting your local law enforcement agency and/or the relevant data protection authority, depending on the specific circumstances of the breach and the laws and regulations that apply to your situation.
3. Monitor your accounts. Regularly check your financial and other accounts for any suspicious activity, and immediately report any unauthorised transactions or other signs of potential identity theft.
4. Update your security practices. Review and update your security practices, such as using strong and unique passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and regularly updating your security software, to help prevent future breaches .

In summary, to protect yourself in the event of a data breach or cyber attack:

1. Stay informed about relevant laws and policies. The laws differ per region. You should always check the specific laws that apply to individuals your region.
2. Take steps to protect your personal data. Check the four steps above for a starting point.
3. In the event of a breach, take action to protect your personal data and minimise the impact. It's best to follow a plan, you can use the plan above for inspiration.

If you want to stay informed about the latest developments in privacy and security, and get help with your own privacy and security questions, join Practical Data Privacy , the Slack community for privacy and technology professionals. https://practicaldp.com