Know and understand the need for personal data to be kept confidential and protected to avoid inappropriate disclosure

Published by Patrick Mutisya · 14 days ago

Cambridge IGCSE ICT 0417 – Safety and Security: Personal Data Confidentiality

Safety and Security – Personal Data Confidentiality

What is Personal Data?

Personal data is any information that can be used to identify an individual, either directly or indirectly. It includes obvious details such as name and address, as well as less obvious data such as online identifiers and behavioural patterns.

Why Must Personal Data Be Kept Confidential?

  • Protects the individual’s privacy and dignity.

  • Prevents identity theft and financial fraud.

  • Ensures compliance with legal requirements (e.g., GDPR, Data Protection Act).

  • Maintains trust between users, organisations and service providers.

  • Reduces the risk of reputational damage for both individuals and organisations.

Common Types of Personal Data

CategoryExamples
IdentificationName, date of birth, national ID number, passport number
Contact DetailsHome address, telephone number, email address
Financial InformationBank account numbers, credit/debit card details, tax records
Health & Biometric DataMedical history, DNA profile, fingerprint, facial recognition data
Online CredentialsUsernames, passwords, security questions, two‑factor codes
Behavioural DataBrowsing history, location data, purchase habits

Risks of Inappropriate Disclosure

  1. Identity theft – criminals use stolen data to impersonate victims.

  2. Financial loss – unauthorised transactions or fraudulent loans.

  3. Phishing attacks – personal details make targeted scams more convincing.

  4. Social engineering – attackers manipulate individuals by exploiting known information.

  5. Reputational harm – sensitive personal or health information made public.

  6. Legal consequences – organisations may face fines or sanctions for data breaches.

Legal and Ethical Frameworks

Key legislation that mandates the protection of personal data includes:

  • General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) – EU regulation that sets strict consent and security standards.

  • Data Protection Act 2018 – UK implementation of GDPR principles.

  • Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) – US law protecting data of children under 13.

  • International standards such as ISO/IEC 27001 – provide guidelines for information security management.

Methods to Keep Personal Data Confidential

Protection MethodHow It Works
Strong PasswordsUse a minimum of 12 characters, mixing letters, numbers and symbols; avoid dictionary words.
Two‑Factor Authentication (2FA)Requires a second verification step (e.g., a code sent to a mobile device).
EncryptionData is transformed into unreadable code; only authorised users with the key can decrypt.
Access ControlsLimit data access to “need‑to‑know” users; use role‑based permissions.
Regular Software UpdatesPatch security vulnerabilities in operating systems and applications.
Secure DisposalShred physical documents; use data‑wiping tools for digital media before disposal.
Awareness TrainingEducate users about phishing, social engineering, and safe online behaviour.

Practical Steps for Individuals

  • Lock your computer or mobile device when unattended.

  • Do not share personal details on public forums or social media.

  • Check privacy settings on online accounts regularly.

  • Use reputable antivirus and anti‑malware software.

  • Back up important data to an encrypted external drive or trusted cloud service.

Case Study – The Cost of a Data Breach

In 2022 a small e‑commerce business suffered a breach where customer credit‑card numbers and addresses were exposed. The fallout included:

  1. Immediate financial loss from fraudulent transactions.

  2. £75,000 fine under GDPR for inadequate security measures.

  3. Loss of 15 % of regular customers due to damaged reputation.

  4. Additional costs for forensic investigation and system upgrades.

Key lessons: implement strong encryption, enforce 2FA for admin accounts, and conduct regular security audits.

Summary

  • Personal data must be kept confidential to protect privacy, prevent fraud, and comply with law.

  • Common data types include identification, contact, financial, health, online credentials and behavioural information.

  • Risks of disclosure range from identity theft to legal penalties.

  • Effective protection combines technical measures (encryption, 2FA) with organisational policies (access control, training).

Quick Quiz

  1. Which of the following is NOT considered personal data?

    • a) Email address

    • b) Favorite colour

    • c) National Insurance number

    • d) Date of birth

  2. True or False: Using the same password for multiple accounts improves security.

  3. Name two legal frameworks that require organisations to protect personal data.

  4. What is the main purpose of two‑factor authentication?

Suggested diagram: Flowchart showing how personal data moves from collection → storage → processing → disposal, with security checkpoints at each stage.