Data Privacy Day: How Secure is your Information
Our motto at Dove is that we “rise to the challenge;” and one of the biggest challenges the population is facing in 2020 is data privacy. From large corporations, to small businesses, and even at the individual level, data privacy is something everyone needs to be vigilant and mindful of. With a growing concern of how data is being collected and what is being done with it, the theme for this year’s International Data Privacy Day is “Own Your Privacy.” There are a lot of ways both businesses and individuals can protect their data and today we wanted to share with you some tips on how to do so. Let’s get started!
FOR BUSINESSES
Protect the Information You Collect
Have reasonable security measures in place to protect the data that is collected from your customers. Did you know many of the copiers and printers you use in your office can control the valuable data you have? At Dove, we know how important protecting customer information is, which is why we offer Secure Printing. Our cloud-based solution, when implemented with your copier or printer, is designed to increase the security/control of your print environment by only releasing documents to authorized users. Print jobs are held in a queue until the authorized individual is authenticated. To learn more on how to get the most out of your security settings, or if you’d like to explore more options on how to increase security in your own print environment, contact us today.
Be transparent and Follow Through
Be transparent and honest with how your customer’s data is collected and used. Transparency helps build trust and shows the integrity of your company. By operating with the end result of consumer protection in mind, you’ll be able to put settings and systems in place to protect their information from the beginning.
Be responsible from Beginning to End
If your company shares data with other vendors or partners, it is your responsibility to learn and understand how that information is being used. Due your due diligence and make sure your customer’s information is being safely stored and properly used.
FOR INDIVIDUALS
Your Personal Info is now a Commodity
Information about you, such as contacts, purchase history and locations, is valuable to many companies. Be mindful of what you share and control who has access to what. You can review some settings with the more popular apps here. Secondly, be sure to delete any apps that you are no longer using. This will help control the data being collected on you.
Own Your Privacy
Just like this year’s theme states – it’s important for you to be in control of who sees what. Every device, app and browser can collect data on you; but, you have control over what they can and can’t do. Take the time to review the security settings on each and set it to share only what you are comfortable with.
Be Conscious of What You Share
It’s fun to post about what you’re doing on social and sharing it with friends, family and followers – but again, be mindful of who can see what. When you post your location on apps like Facebook, Instagram, or Snapchat, you’re allowing those apps to collect that information and potentially sell it. The more information you put out there, the more there is to collect. Be a part of the conversation today on social media and use the hashtag #PrivacyAware. Share the importance of Data Privacy and encourage your social network to protect their personal data both in their personal lives and in the workplace.
