what is data security

what is data security

[The] protection of data from unauthorized (accidental or intentional) modification, destruction, or disclosure.Thus data security helps to ensure privacy. It also helps in protecting personal data.

In the UK, the Data Protection Act is used to ensure that personal data is accessible to those whom it concerns, and provides redress to individuals if there are inaccuracies. This is particularly important to ensure individuals are treated fairly, for example for credit checking purposes.

 The Data Protection Act states that only individuals and companies with legitimate and lawful reasons can process personal information.

The International Standard ISO/IEC 17799 covers data security under the topic of information security, and one of its cardinal principle is that all stored information, i.e. data, should be owned so that it is clear whose responsibility it is to protect and control access to that data.