Security and Privacy for Big Data

Threats and risks in Big Data

Big Data is a term used to describe the massive amounts of data generated by individuals, organizations, and machines. Big data poses several security and privacy risks that organizations need to consider, such as:

  • Unauthorized access: The sheer volume of data in big data environments makes it difficult to secure every single data point, making them more vulnerable to hacking and unauthorized access.

  • Malicious attacks: Big data can be a prime target for malicious actors looking to steal sensitive data, compromise systems, or cause harm to an organization.

  • Insider threats: Employees or contractors with access to big data can intentionally or unintentionally disclose confidential data, compromising security and privacy.

  • Compliance violations: If an organization fails to comply with relevant laws and regulations, it may face legal action, penalties, and loss of reputation.

Data security and privacy techniques

  • Authentication and access control

    Authentication and access control are critical for securing cloud computing environments. They involve the use of passwords, multi-factor authentication, biometric authentication, and access control lists to limit access to sensitive data.

  • Encryption and data masking

    Encryption is a technique used to protect sensitive data by converting it into a coded language that can only be accessed with a decryption key. Data masking is another technique used to protect sensitive data by replacing the original data with fake or obfuscated data.

  • Data backup and disaster recovery

    Data backup and disaster recovery are essential components of any cloud computing environment. These measures help ensure that data can be recovered in the event of a system failure, natural disaster, or cyber attack.

Laws and regulations

Several laws and regulations govern data security and privacy in cloud computing environments. Some of the most significant ones include:

  • General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

    The GDPR is a European Union (EU) regulation that came into effect in 2018. It governs the processing, storage, and protection of personal data in the EU and aims to provide EU citizens with greater control over their personal data.

  • Related US federal laws and acts

    US do not have a single federal law that governs data security and privacy. Instead, there are several federal laws and acts that govern data security and privacy in the US, including:

    • Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

      HIPAA is a federal law in the United States that was enacted in 1996. It sets standards for the privacy and security of health information, including electronic health records. HIPAA applies to healthcare providers, insurance companies, and other entities that handle protected health information. The law requires these entities to safeguard patients’ personal and health information and to notify them if there is a breach of their information.

    • Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

      FERPA is a federal law in the United States that protects the privacy of student education records. FERPA applies to schools that receive federal funding, including K-12 schools and colleges and universities. The law gives parents and students the right to access and review their education records, and it requires schools to obtain written consent before disclosing any personally identifiable information in these records.

    • The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)

      The FCRA is is a federal law in the United States that regulates the collection, dissemination, and use of consumer credit information. FCRA applies to consumer reporting agencies, lenders, and other entities that use credit information. The law requires these entities to ensure the accuracy and privacy of consumer credit information and to obtain written consent before accessing or sharing this information.

    • Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA)

      The FTCA is a federal law that governs the processing, storage, and protection of personal information in the US. It came into effect in 1946 and aims to protect the privacy of individuals’ personal information.

  • State laws and acts

    • California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA)

      The CCPA is a state-level law in California that governs the collection, storage, and use of personal data. It came into effect in 2020 and provides California residents with the right to know what data is being collected about them, the right to delete their data, and the right to opt-out of data sharing.