Data Privacy Week is a global effort this week, January 24 to January 28, that tries to increase awareness about the importance of privacy, highlight easy ways to protect personal information, and remind organizations that privacy is good for business. It also helps spread awareness about online privacy and educates everyone on how to manage their personal information and keep it secure.
In 2022, University Information Security and the National Cybersecurity Alliance are encouraging individuals to “Manage Your Privacy” by learning more about how to protect your valuable data online. Below are some ways you can Keep it Private!
Manage your Privacy
Individuals feel an increasing lack of control over their personal data. Once you have decided to use an app or set up a new account, check the privacy and security settings on web services and apps and set them to your comfort level for information sharing. Each device, application or browser you use will have different features to limit how and with whom you share information. Get started with NCA’s Manage Your Privacy Settings page to check the settings of social media accounts, retail stores, apps and more.
Protect your data
Data privacy and data security go hand in hand. Keep your data secure by creating long, unique passwords and storing them in a password manager. ITS offers a password manager, LastPass, to faculty, staff, and students for free! Add another layer of security by enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA) wherever possible, especially on accounts with sensitive information (such as your bank and credit card accounts). MFA has been found to block 99.9% of automated attacks when enabled and can ensure your data is protected, even in the event of a data breach.
Calls to Action:
- Personal info is like money: Value it. Protect it. Personal information, such as your purchase history, IP address, or location, has tremendous value to businesses – just like money. Make informed decisions about whether or not to share your data with certain businesses by considering the amount of personal information they are asking for, and weighing it against the benefits you may receive in return.
- Keep tabs on your apps. Many apps ask for access to personal information, such as your geographic location, contacts list and photo album, before you can use their services. Be thoughtful about who gets that information, and wary of apps that require access to information that is not required or relevant for the services they are offering. Delete unused apps on your internet-connect devices and keep others secure by performing updates.
- Manage your privacy settings. Check the privacy and security settings on web services and apps and set them to your comfort level for information sharing. Each device, application or browser you use will have different features to limit how and with whom you share information. Get started with NCSA’s Manage Your Privacy Settings page.
Events
- Data Privacy Week 2022: The Data Privacy Balancing Act [Virtual | January 26, 2022 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm (ET)]
Join the National Cybersecurity Alliance and LinkedIn for Data Privacy Week 2022! This free event will convene data privacy experts from industry, government, academia, and non-profit for an afternoon of keynotes, panels, and discussions on current topics in data privacy. Details and Register to attend. - Current and Future State of Data Privacy: Spotlight on Children & Teens in 2022 [Virtual | January 27, 2022 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm (ET)]
Join PRIVO to celebrate Data Privacy Week 2022 as they discuss the current state of data privacy as it pertains to children and teens and what to expect in 2022! Details and Register to attend.
- Data Privacy Week: A Conversation with Dr. Neil Richards on his book Why Privacy Matters [Virtual | January 28, 2022 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm (ET)]
Join Duke University's Neil Richards to learn what privacy means and "what privacy isn't," and explore the implications of our country's legal approach to privacy for freedom, democracy, and consumer protection in this information age! Details and Register to attend.
- Introduction to Privacy [Virtual | January 28, 2022 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm (ET)]
Join Privacy Ref for this two-hour webinar which will cover the basics of privacy, responding to privacy incidents, and basic regulations that may affect your organization! Details and Register to attend.