If you use email, shop online, or post on social media, you deal with your personal data every day. Two terms often come up: Data Security and Data Privacy. While they sound the same, knowing the difference is key to protecting yourself online. Here’s the difference between Data Security and Privacy.

What is Data Security? (The Lock)

Data Security is about protecting your data from thieves. It’s the physical lock on your data cabinet, preventing unauthorized people from accessing or stealing your information.

• Your Job: Security is often technical, but you play a vital role. You need to use strong passwords (unique for every account), enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA), and keep your software updated.
• Company’s Job: Websites and services are responsible for using encryption to scramble your data and putting up firewalls to block hackers.

A failure in security leads to a data breach (stolen passwords, leaked credit card numbers).

What is Data Privacy? (The Rules)

Data Privacy is about controlling who uses your data and how they use it. It’s the set of rules that dictate what a company can do with your information after they collect it.

• Your Job: Privacy is about consent and choice. Read the Privacy Policy (or at least the summary) to understand what you’re agreeing to. Use website settings to limit tracking and clear your browser’s cookies. You should decide if a company can sell your email address to advertisers.
• Company’s Job: Companies must be transparent about what data they collect and give you a way to opt-out of certain uses (like marketing emails). They must follow laws like GDPR.

A failure in privacy means your data is used without your knowledge or consent (being heavily tracked by advertisers, receiving endless spam).

They Work Together

Hope you’ve understood the difference between Data Security and Privacy. You need both to be safe online. A company can have perfect security (your data is encrypted) but still violate your privacy (by selling your data to a third party). Conversely, if you prioritize privacy but ignore security, a hacker can steal your information and use it however they wish.

Action Item: The next time a service asks to track your activity, remember you are making a Privacy choice. When you create a password, you are enabling Security. Use both wisely!