In the field of Cybersecurity, not only is it important to understand the operations used by good guys and bad guys alike, but it is important to understand the risks everyone takes when keeping personal information on electronic devices.
- Running the risk of it being stolen
- Risk of violating privacy/confidentiality
- False information creates inaccuracies
- Losing the ability to access to the information
The most prominent issue we run into is the possibility of electronic information being stolen. Whether the physical device with the information on it was stolen or it was stolen through the internet, that information is now in unauthorized hands. Much like the Yahoo data breach of 2014, it was discovered that all accounts with personal information were hijacked (Perlroth, 2017). What makes this issue more prominent is that it requires a constant upkeep of password managing, understanding of basic internet safety and caring for an electronic system. Unfortunately, all it takes is a common, weak or overused password to give a hacker an opportunity that can leak into other systems.
Another issue we run into is the integrity of privacy. Even if the information was not stolen, misuse of the information can violate the trust and privacy of the individual. For example, all healthcare professionals instate the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPPA). Requiring to keep stored patient information on a need to know basis and only spoken to those who received consent from the patient.
We also find an issue in the event of inaccurate information being stored about an individual. False information can affect opportunities for the individual. A false criminal record can greatly damage an innocent individual or cause trouble in the long run.
The internet has become an integral part of the American infrastructures, yet we can not completely rely on the electronic storage of information. In the event of down time or human error, that information would not be accessible. Tasks requiring legal documentation can become challenging if the information was only available digitally.
Perlroth, Nicole. “All 3 Billion Yahoo Accounts Were Affected by 2013 Attack.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 3 Oct. 2017, www.nytimes.com/2017/10/03/technology/yahoo-hack-3-billion-users.html.