Risks of collecting large amounts of data

Beyond the risk of data theft, your privacy can also be violated. Data may be misinterpreted, collected with the wrong intentions, or simply be incorrect. It’s crucial to protect data properly!

Pitfalls of data privacy

As an MSP, we see it as our duty to advise clients on data privacy, because it’s often overlooked and many mistakes are made. Here are five common pitfalls:

1. Collecting more data than necessary (data minimization)
   Regularly check what data you store about customers and employees. By keeping only what’s needed, you reduce the impact of a data breach. Under the GDPR, companies must have a valid reason to collect and process personal data, and may not use more data than necessary for the intended purpose.
2. Too many people have access to confidential data
   Clearly define who in your organization has access to which information. The more people with access, the greater the risk of data falling into the wrong hands. Implement access rights policies and ensure personal data isn’t freely accessible to everyone.
3. Security and privacy not in harmony
   Security and privacy are often seen as opposites, but they must be balanced. For example, security may require storing camera footage, but privacy demands anonymization. This way, footage can be used for safety without compromising individual privacy.
4. Lack of transparency about data collection
   Be clear about what data you collect, why, and what rights people have regarding their data. Always ask for consent before processing personal data.
5. Trying to do everything yourself
   As an SME, you may want to handle everything yourself, but with growing data volumes and stricter privacy regulations (like GDPR and NIS2*), it’s wise to work with an MSP (managed service provider) that has expertise in this area.

*) NIS2 is a new EU directive on information system security, officially effective from fall 2024.