Final answer:
The question addresses information security and how the importance of data is assessed for protection needs. The increase in digital data threats necessitates robust privacy and security measures for individuals, businesses, and governments. The balance with freedom of expression and recent legislative efforts provides context for ongoing privacy concerns.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question refers to a concept in information security, specifically the definition provided by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) which deals with the level of importance given to information by its owner and the corresponding need for protection. With the increase in digital storage of data, the incidence of threats against personal, financial, and medical information is on the rise, inciting a critical need for robust data privacy measures and security protocols. This concern spans across individuals who require their data to remain private, businesses that must secure their operations, and governments tasked with protecting national secrets.
Freedom of Expression of Ideas is also deeply entwined with this issue, as there is a delicate balance between upholding this freedom and ensuring security and privacy. The Personal Data Notification & Protection Act of 2017 offers some legislative context by defining what constitutes a security breach. Importantly, actions such as the unauthorized acquisition of sensitive personally identifiable information are highlighted. This groundwork for understanding privacy and security is vital for individuals and organizations alike to protect against events like the major data breaches that have impacted companies such as Target and JP Morgan.
To safeguard their data, individuals are urged to be informed about privacy rights, scrutinize privacy policies, and be cautious about the information they share. The overarching goal is to mitigate the risks of identity theft and other cyber threats that arise from security compromises.