Have you ever googled yourself online? You might be surprised to find that your personal info such as date of birth, previous addresses, names of relatives, are spread out through several websites or accounts. This information is collected by data brokers and available to sell to advertisers, worst or illegal entities in the dark.

As we continue to store more of our sensitive personal information online, performing a personal data audit – knowing exactly what data is out there, where it is stored, and how it’s being – used becomes crucial. But have you ever wondered what performing a thorough data audit actually entails? In this guide, we’ll uncover the importance of data audits and provide a handy checklist to help ensure your information stays secure and compliant.

→Related: Data Breach Exposes 3 Billion Personal Information Records

Understanding What a Data Audit Entails

A data audit is a systematic examination of your data assets to assess how it is being collected, stored, managed, and utilized. The primary goal of a data audit is to ensure its accuracy, integrity, and security. By identifying vulnerabilities, personal data audits will help safeguard your sensitive information during data breaches, and maintain the trust of those with whom you interact online.

Benefits of Conducting Regular Data Audits

Data audits go beyond just checking your data and identifying weaknesses—they also offer a proactive approach to data management, improving overall performance of your device while fostering trust and transparency. Here are the key benefits of making data audits a routine part of your daily life.

Improved Data Security

Regular data audits help you assess the security risks of keeping your data in a certain website or account, identify potential weaknesses in your data handling practices, and reduce the impact on you in case of a data breach or unauthorized access to your personal accounts and devices.

Streamlined Data Management

Data audits can help you identify redundant or outdated information, ensuring the accuracy of your data online. It also finetunes your personal efficiency, reducing the time you spend dealing with outdated or wrong data, and the consequences that follow.

Enhanced Trust and Transparency

Conducting regular data audits demonstrates your commitment to privacy and transparency. Whether for personal assurance or business reputation, this builds trust with the people you interact with – whether it is your family, friends or co-workers – reinforcing your image as a responsible and organized steward of data.

Actionable Insights

Beyond theoretical benefits, regular data audits give you an idea of what security measures are good to start, stop, and continue. Ultimately, it could help you become more discerning about submitting your data online, and adopt best practices in data security and management.

Enhanced Collaboration & Communication

The correctness of your data ensures that you will promptly receive communication, products, and services. Imagine that you have purchased something online or expecting important communication in the mail. An incorrect or outdated address will send your purchases or communication to the wrong address.

Challenges and Solutions in Implementing Data Audits

While data audits are essential for safeguarding information, their implementation comes with a set of challenges. Below are some common hurdles and practical solutions to help you streamline your audit process.

Managing Large Volumes of Data

The sheer volume and diversity of online accounts you have created and websites visited over the years can make personal data audits feel overwhelming. If your data resides in multiple locations, it can be challenging to keep track of and scrub it all.

  • Solution: Rome was not built in a day. Certainly, no one expects you to finish your data audit within the same time frame. Break down the audit into smaller, manageable segments. Focus on auditing one account, subscription type at a time. This approach makes the process more manageable and ensures thorough scrutiny of each category.

Technological Barriers

Not all systems are designed for easy data removal, and implementing data audits may require specialized technical knowledge.

  • Solution: Invest in user-friendly tools and software such as McAfee Personal Data Cleanup that offer a simple cleanup process. McAfee regularly scans broker sites to see which ones are collecting and storing your data, and shows you which ones are selling your personal info. It then gives you the option to request the removal of your data by yourself or with their assistance.

Comprehensive Steps to Execute a Personal Data Audit

Conducting regular personal data audits ensures that your data practices are secure and that you have control over your own information. Here’s a streamlined guide to conducting a personal data audit:

1. Understand the Purpose of the Audit

Before you start, define why you’re auditing. Typical goals include discovering where your personal data is stored, identifying potential privacy risks, and understanding how broker sites handle your data.

2. List the Broker Sites You Use

Make a list of all platforms you interact with, such as investment platforms, financial advisory services, and real estate or insurance broker sites. If you need help with tracing the services you have subscribed to, you can check your email inbox and saved browser logins to jog your memory.

3. Log In and Check Your Profile

When you visit each platform, navigate to your account/profile page, note down what personal data you submitted like your name, address, social security number, or financial info, and check if you’ve uploaded any documents such as IDs and bank statements.

4. Review Privacy Settings

Go to the privacy or security settings and see what data is visible to third parties. Check if there’s an option to limit data sharing or ad targeting and note whether two-factor authentication is enabled.

5. Download or Request a Copy of Your Data

Many broker sites provide a way to download your stored data via account settings. This is made available through sections marked “Download my data,” “Privacy request,” “Data subject access request.” Click that section and submit a data access request, which you are entitled to under General Data Protection Regulation or the California Consumer Privacy Act rights.

6. Review the Privacy Policy

Check what the platform says about how they collect and use your data, whether they share data with third parties, and how long they retain your information. Look for anything that seems excessive or unclear and be cautious of broker platforms that don’t offer transparency.

7. Delete Unnecessary Information

If you are able to, go ahead and remove outdated or unnecessary documents. Better yet, consider closing old or unused accounts. Where account closing isn’t possible, anonymize or reduce sensitive information.

8. Document Your Findings

Create a record for each broker site. This may include creating a list of what data a broker has, the privacy settings you adjusted, and the actions you took such as deletion request or account closure.

6. Review Your Incident Response Plan

Ensure that you have a basic plan for responding to personal data breaches. Know what steps to take if any of your account profiles or devices are compromised, such as changing passwords, calling the bank or credit card company, or recovering from backups.

7. Implement Continuous Monitoring

Regularly monitor your personal data to ensure that it remains secure and updated. You can even set a recurring reminder to audit your data every 6–12 months. Where it is possible, enable security alerts for suspicious activity, and periodically review your privacy settings on social media and other online accounts.

Conclusion

Understanding what a data audit is and why it’s fundamental to your data governance strategy can truly transform your perspective on data management. Whether you’re an individual safeguarding personal information or a business striving for compliance, incorporating regular and thorough data audits into your routine is indispensable.

Approach your audits systematically with a robust data audit checklist, be proactive about identifying and addressing data vulnerabilities, and embrace audits as a tool for enhancing data security and compliance. With these strategies in place, you’re well on your way to mastering the art of data stewardship.