Understanding Data Protection

The amount of data obtained and stored by companies in their systems has grown exponentially within the last decade. This makes businesses, big or small, potential victims of data breaches. In this case, understanding data protection and securing your network is imperative to avoid suffering the consequences of a cybersecurity breach. One way to protect your business-critical data is by deploying multiple layers of security including an antivirus scan online software. Aside from this, governments have been putting into place various policies to regulate the collection, use, retention, disclosure, and disposal of personal data.

To help you understand the rights and obligations of organizations in respect to data protection, we will explain it in this article.

What is Data Protection?

Data protection refers to the process of safeguarding personal information from being lost, corrupted, stolen, or compromised. Personal data are details pertaining to an individual stored by organizations electronically or physically. This includes names, addresses, telephone numbers, dates of birth, as well as online identifiers. Information such as racial or ethnic origin, religious beliefs, trade union membership, political opinions, physical or mental health, sexual life, and biometrics are also considered as sensitive personal data.

Here Are Some Data Protection Laws That are Being Implemented Today:

1. GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation)

   One of the most popular data protection laws that commenced roughly a year ago is the European Union’s Global Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This rule has made a significant impact on data protection requirements globally, as companies that market goods or services to EU residents, regardless of their location, must comply with this. It generally governs how companies manage and share such data.

   To meet the terms of the regulation, businesses are required to document the personal data they hold, where it came from, and who they share it with. In addition, they must check their procedures to ensure that the rights of every individual are accommodated. Should users request for a copy of their personal data or ask their data to be deleted from an organization’s system, they should be able to grant it. Seeking, recording, and managing consent is important when complying with this regulation.

   GDPR also requires organizations to have strict security policies in place to detect, report, and investigate a personal data breach. You must also designate a data protection officer to monitor your data protection compliance. As GDPR requirements are strict, you may need to overhaul your internal data security processes, like installing antivirus scan online software, and train your employees to ensure you have a proper response plan to data breach threats.

2. HIPAA (Health Information Privacy and Portability Act)

   HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) is a law in the United States that aims to protect patients’ medical information. The legislation was enacted on August 21, 1996 after it was signed by President Bill Clinton. It has emerged into great prominence in the past years due to the rise of healthcare data breaches caused by cyberattacks.

   The primary goal of this law is to make it easier for people to keep their health insurance should they change or lose a job, protect the confidentiality and security of healthcare information, and help the healthcare industry in managing administrative costs.

3. GLBA (Gramm-leach-Bliley Act)

   Also known as the Financial Modernization Act of 1999, Gramm-leach-Bliley Act is a US federal law that requires financial institutions to explain how they share and protect their customers’ private information.

   The law is divided into three sections. The first one is the financial privacy rule which controls the collection and disclosure of private financial information. The second one is the ‘safeguards rule’, which instructs financial institutions to design and implement security programs. The last one is the ‘pretexting provision’ that prohibits people from accessing someone else’s information. Pretexting happens when an unauthorized person tries to access personal information. This may include requesting private information while impersonating the account holder through phone, mail, or email.

   GLB encourages organizations to implement best security practices (such as installing antivirus scan online software) to avoid potential fines and reputational harm due to the unauthorized sharing or loss of sensitive financial data.

4. CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act)

   Companies who have customers in the state of California need to be prepared for the implementation of CCPA on January 1, 2020. The primary goal of the act is to give consumers more control over their personal information. Businesses must inform their customers why they are collecting data and consumers have a right to know how the data will be used and with whom it will be shared.

Comodo Internet Security

To help you comply with the latest data protection laws, you must install antivirus scan online software like Comodo Internet Security. We offer the latest features such as auto sandbox technology and memory firewall to keep criminals out and sensitive data in. Try our security suite to get rid of malicious programs on your computer.