The impact of data privacy on cyber.

Welcome to the CISO Perspectives Weekly Briefing, where we break down this week’s conversation, providing insights into relevant research and information to help you further understand the topics discussed.

At 375 words, this briefing is about a 4-minute read.

Managing privacy.

In the current age, privacy is no longer seen as something everyone has, but rather something that people need to actively work to obtain. Further, even for the many who want to prioritize their privacy, the modern world makes it increasingly difficult, if not impossible, to ensure privacy. 

Pew Research Center’s 2023 survey of more than 5,000 United States (US) adults highlights just how widespread this tension is. In their study, Pew found the following:

• 61% stated that they are skeptical that anything they can do will make a difference when managing their online privacy.
• 37% are overwhelmed by figuring out what they need to do.
• 21% are confident that those who have access to their personal information will do what is right.
• 81% are concerned about how companies use the data they collect about them.
• 71% are concerned about how the government uses the data it collects about them.

These numbers point to a tangible trend where Americans overwhelmingly believe that their data will be collected, analyzed, and potentially exposed, regardless of what choices they make.

Big data.

The forces driving this reality are larger than any singular institution, policy, or action. The rise of big data has ensured that our digital footprints are constantly expanding and, subsequently, are harder to manage.

When managing the vast amounts of data, both organizations and individuals alike must understand what data is being collected, how that data will be used, and what risks are associated with managing this data. Further, companies that collect and utilize people’s data must take steps to ensure that they are using data responsibly and properly securing it.

In the modern age, managing privacy is hard to control and can be both overwhelming and cumbersome to understand. Some key steps that can be taken to begin addressing this culture are for organizations to build privacy by design and improve transparency, and for individuals to prioritize practicing strong digital hygiene to minimize their exposure. Managing personal data requires more than personal effort; it demands shared responsibility across individuals, organizations, and society at large.