Data Privacy Day 2021- 'Own Your Security':
It is Data Privacy Day with the Theme 'Own Your Security'! Things are happening too fast, the whole world seems to be in chaos as the rate at which technology is being abused rises to a worrisome Curve! It has been cases of Cyber Criminals hitting one public database or the other world wide. The gap of Vulnerabilities around the Social Media is closing gradually especially as multifactor authentications/verifications are being embraced.
There is also an impressive level of security hardening around the Social Media since the inception of Covid-19. But, I got a bit worried when you must accept WhatsApp updated policy that mandates automatic link to Facebook with your phone number as the linking point. This means that those that do not want to expose their phone numbers on Facebook do not have any option here except to remove WhatsApp from their phones. This recent move would automatically get your phone number linked to as many Social Media Accounts as possible because most Facebook subscribers use the same account to call Instagram and other applications, in fact as many as possible. In most cases, Facebook accounts are required to launch new applications you wish to subscribe to. On figuring out one or two things, the place of personal Data Privacy keeps me worried here.....
Still about the same time, we are being mandated in Nigeria to link up our phone numbers with National Identity Numbers(NIN), this too is another Security enforcement move that should ideally minimize fraud and promote seamless detectives. It also promotes inter-dependency of various platforms to capture details of an individual up to immigration level. Yes, these are all Security driven initiatives that should help enforce sanity and orderliness around platforms and Citizens, even though, I am also worried about the Privacy of Data. I hope there are adequate security measures put in place to mitigate leakages and breaches of personal data on these platforms?.
The Hackers are not resting, they are ahead of things and the dare need for a more proactive security measure is required. This explains why you must own your Security this season, you must deliberately protect what is yours. It is up to you to define your risk factors and ascertain your decisions based on the risk factors . For example if you perceive your phone as too risky to be exposed on Facebook and other platforms and WhatsApp not really required, then go with the option of removing WhatsApp and vice versa. Even though it is every citizen's obligation to align his/her phone number with NIN for national Safety and Security, my advise is for you to be cautious and ensure ' You Own Your Privacy'. Do not leave the Security of your Data to chances. Do not disclose your Personal Identifiable Information loosely, this includes your Phone number, Electronic Payment Cards, Your Identity cards including NIN, Driving License, International Passport and other valuable means of Identification, Bank Verification Number (BVN), Bank Accounts and related Account Numbers, House Address, email accounts and any information that could easily disclose more sensitive information. Beware of Social Engineering attacks that could trick you into disclosing sensitive and private information, they could come in form of emails, SMS, video or voice calls to trick you into disclosing too much. I oblige you to pay close attention to your Data and ensure the privacy around it.
The bad guys are Spying consistently and persistently on what you do online, leverage on 2nd level of verification around your platforms inclusive of your email and related accounts. Do not save your password for seamless log-on even on your trusted devices. Keep your Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and mobile data off when you do not need them. In conclusion, we oblige you to Own Your Security because Security is everyone's responsibility! A little disclosure could lead to opening of your entire Kingdom, technology made it like that!
Happy Data Privacy Day, January 28, 2021!.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/data-privacy-day-january-28-2021-own-your-chinatu-uzuegbu
