4 Ways To Address Privacy Concerns Around Customer Data

Published on: 09 March 2024 Last Updated on: 30 October 2024
Customer Data

A single data breach can expose tens of millions of customers to spam, scams, identity theft, fraud, and more. It’s also a quick, easy way to destroy your brand reputation and lose a massive chunk of your customer base.

In the worst-case scenario, you could end up paying millions of dollars in fines. If serious enough, your team members or executives could even face some jail time.

But customer data still needs to be kept safe and private, even when the risks are far less grand in scale. Simply leaking your customers’ email addresses and exposing them to junk mail can erode their trust in you.

To protect your customers and assuage any customer concerns, always handle their data with care. Here are a few important ways to protect data, limit the risks, and put your customers at ease.

1. Use Zero Party Data

Use Zero Party Data

Perhaps the best way to put customers at ease about their data is to give them more control over what you know. Letting them decide what they share with you — and don’t — can protect their privacy and boost your brand reputation.

Giving customers a chance to consent or opt out of sharing first-party data when they visit your site or app is a nice touch. But if you really want to put your customers in the data driver’s seat, zero party data is the way to go.

With zero-party data, your customers and prospects respond to surveys, polls, questionnaires, and more. These inputs can be used to personalize their experience, or anonymized and aggregated to help your brand make data-driven decisions.

Either way, when customers provide this data, they usually expect some kind of user benefit. A personalized product recommendation, useful content, or a customized landing page are all ways to deliver that small reward.

2. Be Transparent

Ideally, you should tell all of your customers exactly what you collect, what you use it for, and why. As long as you’re not up to anything nefarious (you aren’t, right?) transparency should be as simple as a brief pop-up disclaimer.

In fact, transparency could help improve your credibility and customer trust in your brand. And that trust can in turn have a direct impact on your business growth and performance.

It’s particularly important not to collect any extra bits of customer data you don’t need and they haven’t agreed to share. Gathering and storing extraneous data heightens the risk to your customers if there’s a breach. In some countries, regions, or industries, it could even be illegal.

Besides all this, it can take up unnecessary room on servers, cloud storage, etc. To be on the safe side, always get permission from customers before collecting any kind of data. 

3. Anonymize and Encrypt

data breaches

Some of the worst data breaches on record have also turned out to be some of the most ridiculous. Companies have accidentally leaked massive spreadsheets with customer names, addresses, passwords, and credit card data all linked together. But even anonymizing data doesn’t necessarily give customers any real protection or privacy. It’s all too easy to put two-and-two together and figure out someone’s identity.

To ensure that data is truly safe, your company should always use the latest encryption methods and data protection protocols. Consult with experts about the best practices, software programs, and other tools to suit your company’s needs.

Data security is not the place to cut corners, so be willing to dedicate a significant portion of your budget to protecting customers. Otherwise, you risk putting them in danger of identity theft, financial loss, reputational damage, and more.

4. Train Employees and Vet Vendors

Customer data should be kept strictly confidential and only shared with employees and vendors on a need-to-know basis. Your employees need to understand how crucial it is to protect sensitive data and how exactly they need to do it.

Before handling potentially sensitive data, employees should undergo appropriate screenings and training. Train them not to share details like passwords or door codes, and limit access to sensitive cabinets, rooms, or computers.

Third-party vendors and contractors can be a potential cause of concern for data privacy. That’s why it’s important to carefully vet them, just as you would employees. The more you share data, the higher the risk of a breach or exposure along the way. If a vendor has access to your data, and its systems are compromised, your data could be leaked. Or, bad actors at the company you shared with could use the data in unsafe or inappropriate ways.

Worst-Case Scenarios

In the event that a data leak or cybersecurity event does occur, your company should have an emergency plan in place. Know what you’ll do in the event of a breach — how you’ll stop it from progressing and contain the damage.

The plan should clearly indicate roles and responsibilities and include considerations for various scenarios. Many companies, universities, and government agencies have their plans publicly available online, as a resource.

Whatever you do, never attempt to conceal a data breach from the media, your customers, or the public. You could end up facing fines, lawsuits, sanctions, jail time, and irrevocably brand-damaging press. Instead, own up to the breach immediately and let your customers know how you plan to handle it. In order to earn back their trust, you’ll have to prove you know how to do the right thing.

Read Also:

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

View all posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related

Access Control Systems: The Cornerstone Of Modern Security

Access Control Systems: The Cornerstone Of Modern Security

Access control systems serve as a sophisticated first line of defense, permitting authorized entry while screening out threats. By integrating layered identity verification—including credentials like badges, PINs, and biometrics paired with surveillance technology—these intelligent systems determine permission for physical access. Schools and corporations alike rely on access control's discerning capabilities governing carefully who passes through entry points. The most robust enterprises leverage multi-factor authentication with devices evaluating fingerprints, retina scans, and more before granting access to sensitive areas. Factor in AI-powered analytics learning along the way, and a cutting-edge access control system literally thinks on its feet, keeping danger at bay. Though we may take their seamless security for granted, these gatekeepers operate 24/7 to protect our most valued assets behind the scenes. When balancing convenience, safety, and privacy is paramount, access control provides an advanced solution to the task. How Access Control Works Access control systems require people to authenticate their identity before allowing entry. Individuals must verify who they are through credentials like keycards, passwords, PINs, or biometrics such as fingerprints or retina scans. Many systems also incorporate surveillance cameras, alarms, and sensors on doors and other entry points to provide multilayered protection. Sophisticated software ties everything together, enabling features like scheduled or remote locking/unlocking and detailed activity reports. Types Of Access Control Solutions From small offices to multinational companies, there's a form of access control for every need and budget. Card-based systems requiring an authorized badge for building entry are common. However, not every company needs biometric systems to confirm identity via fingerprints or other unique physical identifiers before granting access and offering a high level of security. Internet-based systems allow convenient remote functionality through web applications and mobile device control. Whatever the technology, there are now more access control options than ever protecting facilities worldwide. Furthermore, the security access control solutions can be divided into different sections, and they include visionary access control, role-based access control, and mandatory access control. The manufacturers of these access control systems are evolving with continuous ideas. They are working on extensive permutations and combinations with the technology, improving the overall security system. Hence, standardized security is the ultimate objective that the stakeholders are looking at. Benefits For Buildings Big And Small An electronic access control system can benefit anywhere managing access is a priority. For large corporations, it boosts security while making it convenient for thousands of employees to move freely within appropriate areas. Schools utilize the technology to screen visitors while tailoring access permissions so staff, students, and parents only reach certain locations. Government and healthcare facilities house sensitive information, making rigorous access regulation essential. Even small businesses stand to gain from streamlined access management, employee accountability, and strengthened protection. The Use Of Access Control Systems In Diverse Sectors Access control systems simplify the entire security network in different ways. Whatever your business may be, you make use of them here for the sake of your convenience. However, a wide range of industries use access control systems. Business Enterprise Any business that accepts and thereafter processes the credit cards must meet the data regulations. The access control system can restrict the IT rooms. Thus, they can track down access to certain data and thereafter safeguard information. Healthcar Healthcare is one of the sectors that is sensitive and vulnerable to the intrusion of outside elements internal to her periphery. The healthcare units use access control systems to adhere to the HIPPA regulations for health data. The insurance companies' doctor’s offices protect the care users with access to the control systems. They can protect the IT rooms with the equipment. Ultimately, you get the safeguarding with the help of the physical files and highly sensitive equipment like the MRI machines. Government Security is one of the topmost priorities of the local and state governments. The buildings of the governments are subject to the security regulations of the homeland. It may restrict the entry. However, access control systems verify employees' access to confidential information. Education Education is one of the important business sectors that take absolute control over their internal system through access control. The schools, colleges, and universities have many campuses which are quite large. Moreover, they have security needs in multiple locations. The access control systems for the students and the faculty help them enter through the doors and access points on the entire campus. Even the lab equipment or the expensive computers can be programmed. It ensures that only those who are registered for the courses can enter the facility. Worship Centers Hundreds and thousands of people attend these places. These spiritual centers welcome people from different places. The access control makes entering the compound easy. The synagogues and the mosques can track the comings and goings of the employees. At the same time, they also keep the areas like daycare centers and offices safe and secure for others. Bringing Access Control Into The Future Access control technology continues advancing rapidly, with cutting-edge systems offering more security, functionality, and analytics than ever before. Emerging trends include remote capabilities via cloud platforms, increased automation through artificial intelligence, expanded biometrics identification, and integration with other systems like video surveillance and fire detection. As risks evolve, so too will access control systems, incorporating innovative resources to keep infrastructure, data, assets, and people better protected worldwide. Staying One Step Ahead In a complex world, access control systems deliver an invaluable safeguard to help keep what we care about most a little bit safer. As long as there are threats for soft targets, access control will remain an essential cornerstone in enhancing security in facilities across every landscape. These stalwart protectors stand guard 24/7, vigilantly keeping danger at bay and peace of mind in reach. When so much relies on staying one step ahead of malicious activity, access control systems will continue advancing to meet each emerging challenge. Read Also: Everything You Need To Know About PKI In Cybersecurity Five Tips to Make Sure Your Security Software Is Actually Secure Why DRM Is the New Standard for Document Security

READ MOREDetails
Zero Trust

What Is Zero Trust In Cybersecurity Context?    

Since the concern about cybersecurity has developed worldwide, organizations have promptly started to transition their cybersecurity strategies to mitigate any risk threatening cloud-based resources, sensitive data, and a remote working environment. One of the systems developed to protect paramount assets is Zero Trust Security. What is Zero Trust? Most cyberattacks happen at network perimeters. So, the traditional network security systems deploy security solutions that work on the network perimeter. Yet not all threats are external, modern enterprises need an additional layer of security that blocks suspicious actions from inside the network. At this point, Zero Trust is superior to any other legacy products.    Although Zero Trust definition can be various, Zero Trust refers to a framework comprised of technological implementations, efficient security strategies, and practices. With this structure, a boundary has been created around vulnerable assets, and sensitive resources are prevented from disclosure while the application entrance is restricted.     The Zero Trust Architecture requires both in and outside users to authenticate to access the sensitive resources. This technology uses robust authentication methods, preventing lateral migration, and putting the ‘never trust’ policy into action. To eliminate the ‘’always trust’’ principle, you can implement these steps. How does Zero Trust work fundamentally? By breaking an entire business network into smaller segments, Zero Trust offers to enhance your monitoring environment and intensify the security of the user validation process. Each endpoint, user, or device must be authenticated and validated. Separating the whole workforce, the organization’s capability for data loss prevention becomes advanced. Here Are Three Stages Of Establishing A Zero Trust Framework: 1-) Analyze and visualize your resources  To enhance your cybersecurity and prevent cyberattacks, you must consider determining your priorities and analyzing sensitive data resources and assets. With this, you can recognize where your resources have been kept and who has the authorization to reach them. 2-) Detect and mitigate threats Malicious activities can be eliminated by monitoring user activity, creating trust-based borderlines, and predefining user roles. Also, halting intrusions into the most valuable assets and avoiding doubt or unauthorized movements from users and devices can be favorable. 3-) Optimize protection Zero Trust Security combats cyber threats using tools 2FA, biometrics, and SSO. It is easy to integrate, scalable, and modular. Regardless of location and time, you can optimize your IT infrastructure and upgrade your user experience.    What Are the Benefits of Zero Trust in Terms of Cybersecurity? As cloud-dependent, hybrid cloud, and fully digital businesses are becoming universal, enterprises’ financials, reputation, and maintenance have predominantly lied on IT systems. Companies’ all core chunks now rely on technology, and here are examples that Zero Trust protection yielded in terms of companies’ assets: 1-) Increase Your Data Protection  It is vital to control data transmission to avoid any breach that threatens your sensitive customer data or intellectual property. Zero Trust helps you to mend your data security shortcomings. Also, it improves your data protection capabilities. 2-) Enhance Your Remote Workforce Security According to Statista, most remote employees consider their work devices as personal devices since remote work has become common. While using work computers or mobile phones for personal reasons climbed up among employees, companies started to be concerned about data breaches. Zero Trust decides whether to permit users onto the network or not. Each user has been given limited access to resources. For example, change in a job description, an employee can be locked out of the resources that he used to have authority to access. So, the abuse of privileges has been prevented by using this technology. 3-) Widen Your Protection Against Brand New Threats  Zero Trust uses Micro-segmentation, location ID, and behavioral trust score to enhance your security and your capability to get protected against internal and external threats. It detects the request’s location and time for tracing the breaches before they happen. 4-) Automation and Simplify IT Management  With Zero Trust Architecture, enterprises can imply measurements and no need for human resources for Cybersecurity implementations. The Zero Trust also offers automation that covers manual cybersecurity skill blackness. Conclusion Zero Trust Security offers a brand-new framework for data security, cyber threats, and intrusions. Due to the evolving workplace environment and concern for the secure, Zero Trust, with its ease of integrating your business, comes as a holistic technology. Phase out the VPN solutions to a widened protection technology for each enterprise in terms of the changing dynamics of today’s business requirements. Soon, almost all organizations will adapt themselves to Zero Trust security and must urge you to implement Zero Trust Security in your business. Read Also: Common IT Security Risks in the WorkplaceEverything You Need To Know About PKI In CybersecurityWould Your Ecommerce Website Pass the Cybersecurity Test? Here are 3 Things You Could be Doing Wrong

READ MOREDetails
Decentralized VPN Protocol

MYST: A Decentralized VPN Protocol

While the internet has had a big role in the development of society, that doesn't mean it's been perfect over the years nor that it will be in the future. There are many areas in which the internet has failed, and perhaps the biggest and the most significant one for everyday internet users is privacy. And while people are afraid of sharing everything on this massive platform, there’s perhaps a light at the end of the tunnel for our online privacy—the mass adoption of blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies in the form of a decentralized VPN protocol. You've probably heard about VPNs by now and even started thinking about how they can improve your online security. But if you're new to the world of VPNs, you might be confused as to what VPNs actually do and how they work. The advantage of using a VPN is that it provides military-grade encryption, thereby allowing you to protect your IP address. Unfortunately, there are still many disadvantages associated with traditional VPNs; most importantly, these networks are expensive and require plenty of server nodes around the world. However, the MYST VPN seeks to solve these issues by using nodes that are hosted on home users' laptops. In this article, we will try to demystify the concept of the decentralized VPN protocol, known as MYST. What Exactly Is The Mysterium Network? The Mysterium Network is an open-source and free environment that intends to "liberate the web" through tools, protocols, and digital infrastructure. In actuality, developers are attempting to build a "censorship-resistant" technology for a new generation of online products, with the VPN serving as the first of many examples. Their blockchain-based strategy has proven to be successful, with over 100,000 active members and 3,800+ nodes around the world. Along with Orchid and Sentinel, it claims to be the first decentralized VPN of its sort. Payments are handled through a native cryptocurrency token called MYST in the peer-to-peer decentralized private virtual network (VPN). VPN Payments With Mysterium Mysterium VPN is a pay-as-you-go service that accepts MYST coins as its native form of payment. According to Mysterium, 1 MYST is about equivalent to 10 GB - 30 GB of streaming, with a single MYST coin costing around $0.17 at the moment. Instead of the subscription-based model used by most other premium VPN services, MYST tokens can be used to pay for the date and time you use. According to the official website of MYST, Mysterium only accepts cryptocurrency as payment, enabling you to pay for your privacy discreetly. This isn't necessarily a negative thing, but it would probably make the system less accessible to new users. The most recent version of the app (10.1.0), however, now allows you to top up your account with a credit card using USD, GBP, or EUR. Mysterium's Aims MYST’s goal is to create a more secure, private, and decentralized internet through the use of blockchain technology. The project aims to build a global community where everyone can connect freely. MYST’s objective is to decentralize access to internet services such as Facebook and Twitter by allowing users to access them directly from their own devices at any time, with no restrictions or censorship. This will allow individuals and businesses alike to share information freely and collaborate with their peers without having to rely on centralized servers. Comparing It To Other VPNs Traditional VPNs are based on centralized technology, which means they have a single point of failure. However, Mysterium is decentralized, meaning there's no single point of control or storage for the user's records. As a result, even if they wanted to, they can't keep or track logs of the user's traffic. That's a big positive for anyone concerned about internet privacy, particularly in a world where alliances like the 9 Eyes, 5 Eyes, and 14 Eyes exist. It moves users away from a trust-based system in which we must rely on periodic audits to ensure that VPNs adhere to their logging policies. Because traffic is dispersed across their vast network of residential IPs, it is technologically difficult to store user records centrally in a decentralized system. Instead of sending data via tunneled servers for encryption, they use a vast network of nodes that are managed by volunteers. They claim that the service closely matches the design of TOR, but has the same ease of use as a VPN and that there is no way to sign in with a number, email address, or any other identifying information. Final Thoughts Mysterium VPN seems to be a useful Web 3.0 application with enough features to set it apart from other VPN providers. Take, for instance, the pay-as-you-go approach or the lack of centralized infrastructure. These are important advantages that set it different from other well-known brands in the industry. It works to unblock streaming services, and they have a vast global network of nodes. Overall, Mysterium VPN is expected to improve further in the future. Decentralized systems may be a reasonable alternative to most competitors' successful subscription-based model, but limited payment choices may be a major barrier to customer acceptance. We'll have to wait and see. Additionals: Top 7 Torrent Applications with VPN SupportYou Don’t Need A VPN To Access The Pirate BayHow VPN works on Windows and how you can benefit from it

READ MOREDetails