Privacy: 2016 privacy security practice in review, lessons from the United States

At the start of a new year it is timely to consider the privacy and security risks you face in the coming year.

In early 2016, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) gathered information from around 50 enforcement actions it had commenced, in relation to failure of U.S. entities keeping personal information secure, all of which resulted in settlement.

FTC action was generally provoked by basic security missteps. The publication Start with Security, provides 10 key steps, summarised below, to secure personal information.

Read the full publication here.

1. Start with security: Factor security concerns into decision making across all business areas. Do not collect information that is not needed, particularly if it is personal in nature, and do not keep information for longer than is necessary.