Privacy vs. cybersecurity controls: What’s the difference?

In today’s digital age, the concepts of cybersecurity and data privacy often get thrown around interchangeably. However, while they are closely related and equally crucial for safeguarding our digital world, they are not the same. Understanding the key differences between cybersecurity and data privacy controls can help businesses and individuals better protect their data and systems. Let’s dive into the key differences.

Picture this: you’re a homeowner who wants to keep your house safe. You install a high-tech security system to prevent burglars from breaking in. This system includes alarms, surveillance cameras, and maybe even a guard dog. This is akin to cybersecurity. Now, imagine you also have some personal diaries and sensitive documents inside your house. You don’t just want to keep burglars out; you also want to ensure that these personal items remain confidential and aren’t seen by anyone who might come inside. This is similar to data privacy.

Cybersecurity is all about protecting your digital “house” from external threats. It involves measures and practices designed to safeguard your systems, networks, and data from cyber attacks. Think of cybersecurity as your digital security system that blocks unauthorised access, detects potential threats, and responds to incidents. It’s the firewall that stops hackers, the antivirus software that detects malware, and the encryption protocols that protect data in transit.

On the other hand, data privacy is more concerned with how your data is collected, used, shared, and stored. It’s about ensuring that personal or sensitive information remains confidential and is handled properly. Data privacy controls are the rules and practices that govern who can access your data, how they can use it, and what they can do with it. It’s like setting rules for guests in your home about which rooms they can enter and what they can look at.

One of the fundamental differences between cybersecurity and data privacy is their focus. Cybersecurity focuses on protecting the infrastructure and preventing unauthorised access. It’s proactive and defensive, aiming to keep the bad guys out. Data privacy, however, focuses on the data itself, ensuring that it’s collected and used in ways that respect individuals’ rights. It’s about maintaining control over personal information and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations.

Let’s consider a practical example. Imagine you’re running an online store. Cybersecurity measures would include installing firewalls, using secure sockets layer (SSL) certificates to encrypt transactions, and regularly updating your software to protect against vulnerabilities. These steps ensure that your online store’s infrastructure is secure and that customers’ financial information is protected from hackers.

A non-comprehensive list of cybersecurity controls adopted within organisations.

• Cybersecurity induction training
• Cybersecurity policies
• Cybersecurity insurance
• Multi-factor authentication (MFA)
• Managed anti-virus software
• Licensing with security rich features
• Proactive patch and update management
• Access controls
• Essential Eight maturity rating
• Microsoft 365 Secure Score (>50%)

In contrast, data privacy measures for your online store would involve policies and practices for how you collect, store, and use customer data. This includes obtaining customers’ consent before collecting their information, being transparent about how their data will be used, and ensuring that you only collect the information that’s necessary for your business operations. Data privacy also involves ensuring that customers can access their data, request corrections, or even ask for their data to be deleted.

A non-comprehensive list of emerging privacy controls:

• Primary purpose included in privacy notices
• Privacy policies (‘Right to Erasure’, data encryption and anonymisation, ethical use policy)
• Categorisation of Personal Identifiable Information (PII)
• Segmented PII
• Documented and testes crisis communication plan
• Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA)
• Vendor contracts cover storage and treatment of Company’s PII
• Data subject rights
• Incident Response Plans (IRP)

Another key difference lies in compliance. Cybersecurity is driven by the need to protect against threats and mitigate risks, often guided by industry standards and best practices. Data privacy, however, is heavily regulated by laws and regulations that vary by country and region. For instance, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in Europe is the benchmark data privacy law that set strict rules on how personal data should be handled.

This regulatory aspect means that organisations need to be particularly diligent about data privacy to avoid hefty fines and legal repercussions. It’s not just about having strong security measures in place; it’s about demonstrating that you respect and protect individuals’ data rights.

Let’s not forget the human element. While cybersecurity often relies on technology to thwart attacks, data privacy heavily depends on people and policies. Educating employees about data privacy practices, implementing strict access controls, and regularly auditing data usage are critical components of a robust data privacy strategy. Cybersecurity also requires human vigilance, such as monitoring systems for unusual activity and responding to security incidents, but it’s more about managing technological defences.

So, why is it important to distinguish between the two? Understanding the differences helps businesses develop comprehensive strategies that address both security and privacy. It’s not enough to just have a secure system; you also need to handle data responsibly. Conversely, even the most stringent data privacy policies won’t protect you if your systems are vulnerable to cyber attacks.

In summary, cybersecurity and data privacy are two sides of the same coin. Cybersecurity is about defending your digital assets from threats, while data privacy is about respecting and protecting the personal information within those assets. Both are essential in today’s digital landscape, and understanding their differences helps ensure that you’re fully protecting your digital house and the precious items inside it. So, whether you’re a business owner, a tech enthusiast, or just someone who values their personal information, paying attention to both cybersecurity and data privacy will help you navigate the digital world more safely and responsibly.

If you need assistance navigating the privacy landscape or the current privacy and data governance posture for your organisation, please get in touch. We’d love to help.