Information security and data protection do not always go hand in hand. These two perspectives, both aimed at protecting important values, can sometimes seem incompatible. They create a complexity that often leaves companies, individuals, and experts facing the challenge of balancing them correctly.
Two Different Protection Values – A Common Problem
Information security is about protecting information (data) – whether it belongs to an individual, a company, or a system – from being stolen, altered, or made unavailable. It is about ensuring that the right people have access to the right information and that the information is available when it is needed.
Data protection, on the other hand, puts the individual in focus. It is about protecting personal data and the individual’s right to privacy. This is where GDPR comes into play with its articles and rules to ensure that each individual has control over their data and that it is processed with respect for the individual’s integrity.
This is where the challenge arises. Measures such as logging and monitoring, critical to protecting the security of organizations, can often be perceived as an invasion of personal privacy. There are two different protection values – information security and individual privacy – that must be balanced. And that is not always easy.
The Balance – or Lack Thereof
How do you find the balance? The big secret is not in the rules themselves, but in how we implement them. Some people think that data protection and information security are two opposing sides that must compromise with each other. But the truth is that they can and should interact.
Security measures do not automatically mean a violation of individual privacy, and data protection regulations do not have to weaken a company’s security. Transparency is key. By being clear about what information is collected, how it is used, and why, companies can build trust with both employees and customers. By minimizing data collection and applying proportionate measures, both perspectives can be balanced without compromise.
Where Exactly is the Problem?
The problem is not with the rules, but rather with how we humans act. Information security and data protection specialists tend to work in their silos (and these people are often stubborn). Lawyers and security experts don’t always understand and listen to each other. Instead, they often see each other’s work as an obstacle rather than an asset. In addition, lawyers insist that all decisions and considerations are carefully documented. And let’s be honest – getting “homework” from a lawyer doesn’t exactly make you look forward to the next meeting.
But in reality, we need each other. Without security, we cannot protect the information that data protection safeguards. Without respect for individual rights, security measures can feel surveillance and offensive to employees and other individuals who are to be monitored.
A Call – Collaborate or Fail
So what are we saying? Well, the problem is not the rules, but how we interpret and apply them. If we are to succeed in the digital age, we need to listen to each other, understand different perspectives, and find solutions that work for everyone.
It is time to recognize that data protection and information security are not enemies – they are two sides of the same coin. And if we continue to treat them as separate issues, we will continue to create divisions, both between the two professions and between organizations and their employees. Both perspectives are a prerequisite for conducting business in a secure, legal, and ethical manner.
