Final answer:
Encryption is a preventive control that ensures data confidentiality and privacy, making it a fundamental component of data security. Individuals can protect their data by understanding privacy rights, reading policies before accepting them, and being aware of the challenges posed by cyber threats. Resources like the privacy rights website and knowledge of relevant laws like the Personal Data Notification & Protection Act of 2017 provide further guidance and context.
Step-by-step explanation:
Encryption plays a crucial role in protecting data privacy and ensuring secure communication between parties. This technology transforms readable data into an encoded format that can only be deciphered by someone who has the decryption key. Encryption is indeed a preventive control, as it proactively secures data from unintended or unauthorized access. When data is encrypted, its confidentiality and privacy are maintained, whether in transit or at rest. This means that only authorized parties can view the private information.
To enhance their data privacy, individuals must stay informed about their privacy rights and meticulously read privacy policies before they accept them. In today's digital era, the surge of cyber technologies poses challenging security issues, including the rise of sophisticated cyber threats that may infringe on an individual's right to privacy. Therefore, encryption provides an essential layer of protection against potential surveillance and cyber-attacks.
For more comprehensive insights on internet privacy and security, including how encryption can safeguard personal data, one can explore educational resources such as the website mentioned on privacy rights. Additionally, information on legislation like the Personal Data Notification & Protection Act of 2017, which defines security breaches and outlines the legal framework for data protection, can be highly beneficial for understanding the legal aspects of data privacy.