Making a conscious decision to protect PII falls on the shoulders of both consumers and companies. Corporations must properly configure firewalls and access permissions, apply security updates, and ensure access to only authorized users in order to prevent attackers from accessing PII.
Consumers should also take responsibility to protect their PII. Unauthorized access to personal information can be averted by creating unique, complex passwords for all online accounts. Share information cautiously, especially on social media platforms. Avoid oversharing PII online. Practice extra caution when responding to unsolicited requests for personal information.
Update security software regularly to thwart hackers seeking vulnerabilities in operating systems and applications. Be aware of the latest cybersecurity best practices as well as common scams and threats. Understanding potential risks keeps everyday consumers from falling victim to cybercrimes.
Companies, particularly, have access to a large store of consumer personal data. Since they have the ability to collect PII, they also have the responsibility to safeguard it. Without proper protections in place, security breaches can occur and leave scores of PII exposed to criminals.
Data breaches are not uncommon and can affect victims for years after the initial attacks. Consumers whose PII is compromised can suffer innumerable injustices, such as identity theft and penalties issued by health insurers. Credit card numbers may be stolen, leading to financial harm.