Author
Scott Kreisberg
CEO of One Step Secure IT
Update January 2026
This article examines data privacy as an issue of control and trust, not secrecy, from the perspective of Scott Kreisberg, CEO of One Step Secure IT. It explains how data privacy differs from data security, why increasing data collection raises risk for individuals and businesses, and the practical steps both can take to reduce exposure. The piece frames data privacy as a leadership responsibility that directly impacts trust, resilience, and long-term business integrity.
Data privacy is something most people should care about, but few fully understand. Between constant data breaches, privacy policies and headlines no one reads, and everyday apps collecting information in the background, it’s easy to assume privacy does not really apply to you.
Through my 40 years of work in tech and cybersecurity,I see firsthand how personal data is collected, shared, and misused every day. The goal of this insight is to explain data privacy in plain language, why it matters, and the simple steps anyone can take to protect their personal information.
When we talk about data privacy, also called information privacy, what we are really talking about is the ability to decide how your personal information is collected, stored, and used.
Let me ask you this…
Why do you have curtains on your windows? It sounds like a silly question, but the answer is simple...privacy...even if you have nothing to hide, you still want to keep parts of your life private. Am I right?
The same thing holds true in the cyber world. Today, all our devices collect data, including computers, smartphones, watches, cars, and more. There is no limit to the amount of personal data being collected and stored.
What Is Data Privacy?
At its core, data privacy is about control. It isn’t just a legal checkbox or a set of technical hurdles; it’s a fundamental question of agency. Specifically, data privacy refers to the mechanics of how your personal information is collected, used, stored, and shared; it’s also about who gets to decide how that happens.
Think about the sheer volume of data you generate daily. Your name, email address, browsing history, and real-time location data are just the beginning. It extends to your financial records and even "passive" data, like exactly how many seconds you linger on a specific webpage or scroll through social media.
Not to mention all the information harvested automatically through the apps, websites, smart devices, and online accounts we use to run our lives. This "digital exhaust" creates a detailed map of who we are, which is why understanding the lifecycle of your information is the first step in reclaiming your digital sovereignty.
In the boardroom, we must look at this through a different lens: Data is a liability before it is an asset. For a modern enterprise, respecting data privacy isn't just about compliance with regulations like General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA); it’s about the integrity of the brand. When we talk about "control" in a business sense, we talk about transparency. If a customer doesn't understand how or why you are holding their data, the foundation of that relationship is already fractured.
Why Data Privacy Matters Today?
Think of your personal data like your home. You may not have valuables sitting out in plain sight, but that doesn’t mean you would leave your doors unlocked or hand out copies of your keys to strangers.
The same applies to digital privacy.
When personal data is exposed, misused, or sold without transparency, it can lead to identity theft, financial fraud, targeted scams, and long-term loss of trust. Even small data points, when combined, can paint a detailed picture of your habits, preferences, and vulnerabilities.
This is why data privacy is not about secrecy. It’s about protection and consent.
Today, data is much more important and relevant than it was a few years ago. We have all lost our privacy while companies make billions off it. We must fight to have the ability to “shut our curtains” and keep our digital lives private.
“But I Have Nothing to Hide…”
Privacy is not about hiding, and it never was. You see, the more our devices, apps, and sites collect data about us, the higher the probability that these bad actors will be able to con us. The bottom line is that there are many bad actors out there, and we don’t need to make it easier for them to steal from us.
If privacy isn’t necessary, why are government agencies at every level increasing legislation to hold companies accountable for protecting our private data?
We submit information daily on the internet that would make us vulnerable to hacker attacks. Using this information, they could threaten us into taking actions against our best interests and security.
For example, imagine a hacker knowing which bank you use and sending you an official-looking phishing email. You are busy multi-tasking and don’t think twice about clicking on it, thus inadvertently downloading and installing ransomware or worse, stealing your personal information and private photos, etc.
Is Data Privacy and Data Security the Same?
One of the most common misconceptions I see in the industry is the tendency to use data privacy and data security interchangeably. While they are two sides of the same coin, confusing them can lead to massive strategic blind spots.
Think of it this way: Security is the infrastructure; the walls, the locks, and the encrypted vaults that keep intruders out. Privacy, on the other hand, is the ethical and legal framework that governs what happens inside those walls.
To put this into a real-world context, consider your company’s email workspace:
- Data Security is your complex password and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). It is the technical barrier preventing an unauthorized person from reading your inbox.
- Data Privacy is the agreement you have with your service provider regarding what they do with the emails you send. Do they scan them for advertising purposes? Do they sell your metadata to third parties? That is a matter of privacy.
Another misconception is that privacy laws solve everything. Regulations like the GDPR and the CCPA help, but they don’t eliminate risk. Personal awareness still plays a critical role.
There is a fundamental rule every business leader must understand: You can have security without privacy, but you can never have privacy without security. You could have the most secure server in the world, but if your internal policy is to sell that data to the highest bidder, you have zero privacy. Conversely, you could have the best intentions and the strictest privacy policies on paper, but if your security is weak and a hacker steals your database, those policies are worthless. Security is the prerequisite; privacy is the promise.
To see how these two forces work together to protect your professional footprint, take a look at our deep dive into protecting your digital identity. For those looking to implement privacy-first technical strategies, understanding the power of pseudonyms in ensuring data privacy is an excellent place to start.
What Can I Do to Take Control of My Personal Data?
You don’t need to be a cybersecurity expert to improve your data privacy. A few small changes can make a big difference:
- Use a password manager to create and store strong, unique passwords
- Enable multi-factor authentication wherever possible
- Choose privacy-focused browsers and search engines, such as Firefox and DuckDuckGo
- Review app permissions regularly and remove access that is unnecessary
- Be cautious with public Wi-Fi and avoid sensitive transactions on unsecured networks
These habits help reduce your digital footprint and make it harder for cyber criminals to exploit your personal information. If you want to better understand how cyber threats operate at both surface and hidden levels, Uncovering the Cybersecurity Iceberg offers useful insights into everyday risks and protections.
What Can Businesses Do to Take Control of Data Privacy?
From a business perspective, data privacy requires a more deliberate and structured approach. The goal is not to collect less data blindly, but to collect and protect data intentionally.
- Establish strong identity and access controls by standardizing password management and enforcing unique credentials across systems. This aligns with foundational security requirements that prevent common breaches.
- Require multi-factor authentication for critical applications, including email, remote access, and administrative accounts. Organizations that do this well often see significantly lower risk of compromise.
- Evaluate technology and software through a privacy lens, understanding how much data is being collected, where it’s stored, and who can access it. This mindset pairs with broader leadership principles like knowing why operational preparedness matters and making security a business priority.
- Regularly audit user access and permissions so employees only have access to the information required for their roles, reducing unnecessary exposure.
- Secure remote and hybrid work environments with clear policies, VPN usage, and endpoint protections. As businesses grow and adopt new technologies, secure practices help them scale without increasing vulnerability.
Taking these steps helps organizations limit how much sensitive data they hold, shrink the attack surface, and reinforce trust with customers, partners, and employees. For a practical look at common security pitfalls that tie directly into privacy and risk, The #1 IT Security Mistake That Puts Businesses at Risk explores real-world gaps many companies face.
Final Thoughts
Data privacy is not a technical problem to be delegated or a regulation to work around. It is a leadership decision. Your digital identity is tied to your data.
Whether you are an individual protecting your digital life or a business responsible for the data of others, the question is the same: who do you trust to handle your information, and why? The organizations that earn that trust are the ones that treat data as a responsibility, not a resource to be exploited.
In a world that is only becoming more connected, privacy is no longer optional. It is a commitment to transparency, accountability, and long-term integrity. Those who make that commitment today will be the ones people trust tomorrow.
Tune in to the One Step Beyond Cyber Podcast on:
BuzzSprouts | Spotify | Apple Podcast | Amazon Music | YouTube
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