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It feels like Google’s Gemini is putting in a lot of work these days, and it’s not just on Android or the web either. Google launched a standalone Gemini app on iOS last November, which was recently updated to include lock screen widgets for iPhone users. Now, Google has given iPad users another nice surprise.

Google has updated the Gemini iOS app to include an optimized, full-screen iPad version. Previously, the Gemini app could technically work on an iPad, but since it was designed for the iPhone, it would appear in letterboxed mode with blank spaces around it. It also used the smaller iPhone keyboard, leading to a subpar experience.

In today’s digital age, where vast amounts of personal and business information are shared and stored online, two terms often come up: data privacy and data security. While they are closely related and essential for protecting sensitive information, they refer to different aspects of information protection. Understanding the difference between them is key to ensuring that data is handled responsibly and safely.

What is Data Privacy?

Data privacy refers to the way personal information is collected, stored, shared, and used. It is concerned with the rights of individuals to control their personal data and the rules that govern the handling of this data by organizations. Data privacy ensures that individuals’ personal information is not misused or accessed without their consent.

It is about ensuring that personal data is collected for specific, legitimate purposes and is not used beyond what the individual has agreed to. For example, when signing up for an online service, a company may ask for your name, email address, and other details. Data privacy regulations (such as the GDPR in Europe or CCPA in California) ensure that companies are transparent about how this information will be used, stored, and protected.

Key elements of data privacy include:

•    Consent: Individuals must give explicit consent before their data is collected or shared.
•    Transparency: Organizations must clearly explain how they collect, use, and share personal data.
•    Access: Individuals should have access to their personal data and the ability to request corrections or deletions.
•    Data Minimization: Only necessary information should be collected and retained for as long as needed.

What is Data Security?

Data security, on the other hand, focuses on protecting data from unauthorized access, breaches, theft, or corruption. It involves the tools, policies, and measures put in place to prevent malicious attacks, data breaches, or accidental loss of data. Data security ensures that data is kept safe from hackers, cybercriminals, and other threats that could compromise the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the information.

While data privacy focuses on the appropriate use of personal data, data security is concerned with protecting data from harm or unauthorized access. It involves technical safeguards like encryption, firewalls, and secure access protocols to protect data both at rest and in transit.

Key elements of data security include:

•    Encryption: Encrypting data to make it unreadable to unauthorized parties.
•    Access Control: Implementing systems to restrict who can access sensitive data.
•    Firewalls and Antivirus Software: Tools that protect against cyberattacks and malware.
•    Regular Audits and Monitoring: Continuously monitoring systems to detect and prevent potential threats.

Key Differences Between Data Privacy and Data Security

While data privacy and data security are closely interconnected, they serve different purposes and have distinct focuses:

1.    Focus:
o    Data Privacy: Concerned with how personal data is collected, shared, and used, ensuring it aligns with the user’s preferences and rights.
o    Data Security: Focused on protecting data from unauthorized access, corruption, or loss, preventing threats and breaches.

2.    Scope:
o    Data Privacy: Involves legal frameworks, policies, and regulations that define how personal data should be handled (e.g., GDPR, CCPA).
o    Data Security: Involves technical measures like encryption, firewalls, and access controls to protect data from external and internal threats.

3.    Responsibility:
o    Data Privacy: The responsibility of organizations to ensure that individuals’ data is used fairly and with consent.
o    Data Security: The responsibility of organizations to implement appropriate safeguards to protect data from breaches and other threats.

4.    Regulation vs. Protection:
o    Data Privacy: Typically governed by privacy laws and regulations that dictate how data should be handled (e.g., privacy notices, consent forms).
o    Data Security: Governed by security standards and protocols aimed at safeguarding data infrastructure (e.g., encryption protocols, multi-factor authentication).

How They Work Together

Though data privacy and data security are distinct concepts, they are deeply interrelated. To maintain both, organizations must adopt a comprehensive approach that combines privacy policies with robust security practices. Without security, privacy cannot be guaranteed because sensitive data could be exposed to unauthorized parties. On the other hand, without privacy policies, even well-secured data could be misused or accessed beyond the scope of what individuals have agreed to.

For example, a company may implement strong encryption and access controls (data security), but if it fails to provide clear consent forms, explain how personal data will be used, or give users control over their information, it could still violate data privacy principles.

Real-World Example: Data Breaches and the Impact on Privacy and Security

A classic example of the intersection of data privacy and security can be seen in major data breaches. If a company suffers a security breach and hackers gain access to sensitive personal information (e.g., passwords, social security numbers, financial details), data security protocols have clearly failed. However, if that company doesn’t have clear privacy policies in place regarding how that data is stored or shared, it could also face privacy violations and legal consequences.

For instance, the 2017 Equifax breach exposed the personal information of 147 million people. Not only was data security compromised (the hackers gained access to sensitive information), but Equifax also faced severe privacy issues, as they had not taken appropriate measures to prevent unauthorized access to individuals’ data. This breach highlighted the importance of both data privacy and data security.

Conclusion

In summary, while data privacy and data security are related, they have different focuses. Data privacy is about protecting the rights of individuals over their personal data, ensuring transparency, consent, and control over how their data is used. Data security, on the other hand, is about safeguarding data from unauthorized access, breaches, and malicious attacks.

Both are critical in the modern digital landscape, and organizations must prioritize both to protect their customers and comply with legal regulations. Ensuring strong data privacy practices, alongside robust security measures, helps build trust, protect sensitive information, and avoid potential legal and financial repercussions.

The post The distinction between Data Privacy and Data Security first appeared on Cybersecurity Insiders.

The post The distinction between Data Privacy and Data Security appeared first on Cybersecurity Insiders.

In light of recent cyber attacks targeting major British businesses such as Harrods, Marks & Spencer, and Co-Op, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), the cybersecurity division of GCHQ, has issued an urgent warning to UK firms. The warning highlights the increasing risk of ransomware attacks, particularly in the retail sector, and anticipates that similar attacks are likely to escalate in the coming days. In response, the NCSC has published a comprehensive set of guidelines to help businesses defend against these threats and minimize potential financial losses should an attack occur.

Anticipating More Cyber Attacks

As digital threats continue to evolve, the NCSC has expressed concern about the growing frequency and sophistication of ransomware attacks, which encrypt vital business data and hold it hostage in exchange for payment. The agency is especially focused on the retail sector, which remains a prime target due to its high volume of sensitive customer information and transactional data.

The NCSC advises businesses to take immediate and proactive measures to mitigate risks, emphasizing that preparation is key to ensuring business continuity and minimizing the impact of such attacks.

Key Guidelines to Protect Against Ransomware Attacks

The NCSC offers several crucial recommendations for retailers and businesses to better safeguard themselves against ransomware threats:

Isolate and Contain the Threat Quickly- The first line of defense during a ransomware attack is to sever any internet connectivity immediately. Disconnecting your systems from the web can prevent the malware from spreading further across your network. It is equally important to ensure that backup servers remain isolated and unaffected by the attack, so they can be used for disaster recovery.

Leverage Backup Systems for Recovery- Having reliable and secure backup systems is essential for recovering from a ransomware attack with minimal disruption. The NCSC strongly advises businesses to maintain up-to-date backups in a separate location, ensuring that the data remains unaffected by the attack. Quick recovery will help reduce downtime and financial loss.

Report the Incident to Authorities- As soon as an attack is detected, businesses should report the incident to the nearest police station. This ensures that law enforcement agencies are aware of the situation and can investigate further. Additionally, companies should consider hiring cybersecurity experts to help contain the attack and address the vulnerabilities that allowed the breach.

Do Not Pay the Ransom- The NCSC strongly discourages businesses from paying ransom demands. Paying cybercriminals not only funds illegal activity but also does not guarantee the safe return of encrypted data. In many cases, even after payment, the data remains inaccessible, or the perpetrators may demand more money. Engaging in such transactions only encourages further criminal behavior.

Notify Affected Parties Promptly- It is critical to keep affected individuals informed about the breach. The NCSC recommends that businesses notify impacted customers or employees within the time frame specified by the Federal Act on Data Protection (Article 24). This transparency helps build trust and ensures compliance with legal requirements surrounding data breaches.

Patch Vulnerabilities Immediately- One of the most significant risks businesses face is leaving unaddressed vulnerabilities in their systems. The NCSC stresses the importance of quickly identifying and patching any security gaps in software, hardware, or network infrastructure. If a vulnerability remains unresolved, there is a high probability that the same attackers may target the business again.

Train Employees to Recognize Phishing Attempts- Cybercriminals often use phishing as a primary means of infiltrating corporate networks. Phishing emails and messages can appear legitimate, making it easy for employees to unknowingly click on malicious links or download harmful attachments. The NCSC encourages businesses to train staff to recognize suspicious communications and adopt best practices for digital security.

Prevention is Better Than Cure

The key takeaway from the NCSC’s guidance is the importance of prevention. While it’s critical to have a disaster recovery plan in place, proactive security measures are far more effective than trying to recover from an attack after the damage has been done. Ensuring that systems are secure, employee training is up-to-date, and vulnerabilities are patched will go a long way in protecting against ransomware attacks and reducing the overall impact on your business.

By following the NCSC’s advice, UK businesses can strengthen their defenses and reduce the likelihood of becoming victims of cybercrime, safeguarding not just their financial interests, but their reputation as well.

The post NCSC issues alert against more ransomware attacks on retailers first appeared on Cybersecurity Insiders.

The post NCSC issues alert against more ransomware attacks on retailers appeared first on Cybersecurity Insiders.