How data privacy and cyber security intersect:

Interplay between data privacy and cyber security is important to understand. While data privacy and cybersecurity have a common goal of protecting sensitive data from unauthorized access, data privacy regulations are prescriptive in nature and important for compliance with local regulations. Cybersecurity prevents personal data to be exposed to external threats. In today’s interconnected world, it is not possible to ensure data privacy compliance without ensuring cybersecurity.

 Ensuring data privacy through cybersecurity:

Ensuring data privacy through cybersecurity involves a combination of policies, practices, and technologies designed to protect personal and sensitive information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, and destruction. Following are some key measures to ensure data privacy through security measures:

01 - Cybersecurity Strategy

02- Access Controls

03 - Security Assessments

04 - Network Perimeter

05 - Data Protection

06 - Endpoint & Device Security

07- Incident Management

08 - Vendor Risk Management

09 - Employee Training

10 - Red and Blue Teaming

11 - Security Audits

12 - Continuous monitoring

 Developing cybersecurity strategy:

a. Conducting joint risk assessments to identify and evaluate risks related to both cybersecurity and data privacy.
b. Establishing clear security policies outlining the rules for network access, data protection, incident management etc.,
c. Adopting established cybersecurity and data privacy frameworks such as ISO 27001, ISO 27701, NIST etc.,

Implementing robust access controls:

a. Enforcing multi factor authentication for users having access to sensitive systems and data.
b. Limiting access based on job roles to ensure that users have access only to systems and data required for performing their tasks.
c. Constantly monitoring privilege accounts to prevent misuse.

Conducting regular security assessments:

a. Conducting vulnerability assessments to scan and plug vulnerabilities before they are exploited.
b. Performing regular penetration testing to identify and fix vulnerabilities.
c. Ensuring software, applications and operating systems are scanned for updates and patches.

Securing the network perimeter:

a. Using firewalls to block unauthorised access.
b. Monitoring network traffic for suspicious activities and preventing intrusions by implementing Intrusion Detection & Prevention Systems
c. Securing remote access to the network through Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and encrypting communications.

Protecting data from unauthorised access:

a. Encrypting data stored on servers, databases, other storage devices and data in transit to prevent unauthorized access.
b. Implementing data loss prevention (DLP) solutions to prevent unauthorized transmission of sensitive data.
c. Maintaining regular backup of critical data and regular testing of disaster recovery plans.

Enabling endpoint and device security:

a. Installing and regularly updating antivirus and anti-malware software on all endpoint devices such as computers, mobile devices and servers.
b. Securing and managing mobile devices used by employees to ensure they meet security standards.

Implementing a robust incident response plan:

a. Establishing a team of experts for handling breaches and security incidents.
b. Creating a detailed incident response plan defiling the steps to be taken in the event of a cyber incident.
c. Recording learning from the incidents post addressing the security concerns.

Assessing third party risks:

a. Ensuring third party service providers adhere to the security standards.
b. Including cybersecurity clauses in contracts with vendors to ensure compliance with data protection regulations and security requirements.

Employee training and awareness:

Educating employees on cybersecurity best practices, identification on phishing emails, social engineering attacks etc.,
b. Encouraging employees to report suspicious activities and security threat incidents.
c. Sensitize employees on collection, storing and sharing sensitive personal data.

Red teaming and blue teaming:

a. Simulating real-world attacks by having red teams perform adversarial testing to identify weakness in the systems.
b. Enhancing the organization’s ability to detect and respond to attacks by continuously improving monitoring and incident response capabilities.

Conducting regular security audits:

a. Conducting regular compliance audits to ensure that applicable regulations on cybersecurity and data privacy are complied with.
b. Enabling necessary tools for logging security incidents on a real time basis for quick detection and remediation.

Continuous monitoring:

a. Enabling necessary tools for logging security incidents on a real time basis for quick detection and remediation.
b. Leveraging threat intelligence to stay updated on emerging threats, vulnerabilities, and attacker tactics.