Data Privacy and User Experience: Balancing Security with Seamless Interaction  

Companies and individuals face increasing security threats from every side. How do we handle more sophisticated breaches as cybercriminals become ever more sophisticated? Knowledge is power – data privacy is at more risk today.

Their arsenal of cybercrimes is vast. Let’s take a look.

• Security hacks
• Phishing emails
• Identity thief
• Malware and viruses
• Ransomware
• Email scams
• Data breaches
• Financial thief
• Botnets
• Mirror sites
• Social engineering
• Customer service impersonation

Acknowledge the risk

According to Statista, over 5.45 billion people have access to the internet, with about 2 billion people online at the same time. Recognize that data privacy is a moving target as cybercriminals become more resourceful. As our defenses evolve, the user experience must be addressed too.

Cybercriminals are one step ahead of our efforts to defend the security of our data. Too often, security products detract from user experience and productivity. IT departments face daily challenges as they balance cyber risks with user experience and productivity.

Flexible work environments combined with cloud services translate into more places where our data is stored. The COVID pandemic upped the need for robust IT solutions to protect data spread over many locations and circumstances. Workloads in IT departments dramatically increased. Two-thirds of IT departments have seen increased tasks and new challenges since 2020. IT departments report that malicious emails and software vulnerabilities have increased as well as non-compliant employee practices.

Where to start as we balance data privacy with user experience?

Identity authentication services provide assurances that only authorized users have access to sensitive data but aren’t a nuisance to users. Identity authentication applies to both employees and customers and decreases security risk without being overly burdensome to users.

Upgrades that protect data privacy don’t have to diminish user experience. Quite the opposite is true in most instances. Both user experience designers and security specialists acknowledge that data privacy is a priority. Developers continue to tweak their offerings so that user experience is not adversely impacted by data privacy protection.

Recent data breaches, including the Social Security number leak, are changing users’ opinions about data privacy. Users are becoming more tech-savvy and more willing to accept additional layers of protection for their data.

Will newer products reduce trade-offs between privacy and user experience?

Worldwide, over 80 million websites utilize a content management system (CMS) to build and maintain their websites. The technology allows users to create and maintain their websites without using any codes. Users create content with their CMS system. The CMS system provides user roles and permissions that permit content writers to publish and manage content but are prevented from deleting plugins or authority to modify the site’s functionality.

CMS platforms provide security features that manage password security, authentication, asset security, and thwart hacking.

Your CMS system may also provide:

• Pre-designed templates
• Simple updates
• Content scheduling
• Access from almost any device

The choice of a web browser is one of those decisions that many users don’t consider too deeply. They may continue to use what they’ve always used, without asking themselves if there are new and better alternatives.

Suppose you’ve just purchased a new computer, and you accept the default browser. Many consumers do little or no research into web browsers. People accept the default browser because of its familiarity. Yet, browsers differ in numerous ways, including the security they provide. Some provide new, upgraded features — more privacy, free VPN, and tracking protection.

Walking the tightrope of security and user experience

Developers and marketers recognize the sensitive balance between data privacy and user experience. It’s the tightrope that they walk each day in their advancement of new applications. Their success with new apps depends on users’ willingness to use them.

Marketing campaigns need to instill the notion that data privacy is critical enough that new cutting-edge security practices are worth some compromise in user experience. Developers are offering products with more intuitive, easier-to-use security features.

User education helps overcome resistance to more stringent security features. Some mobile developers have been quick to adopt user education via educational tool tips and animations. Creators of educational clips should ensure that they are understated and instinctive.

Likewise, companies must implement data protection across the board carefully. We’ve seen time and time again that serious security breaches can occur with just one click of the mouse.

Lessons learned from significant breaches can be valuable when training employees as they learn how widespread and destructive a breach can be.

• A T & T. In early March 2024, the company announced that millions of customers’ data involving calls and text messages had been compromised.
• MOVEit. 77 million records were breached. MOVEit provides managed file transfers for government agencies and business entities.
• Ticketmaster Entertainment, LLC. Cybercriminals illegally obtained over 560 million customer records, including payment information.
• CDK Global. Automobile dealers suffered when CDK Global’s software was compromised. The software is utilized to schedule service and process financing for the sale of cars.

Large breaches like these impact thousands of people, both employees and customers. The breaches cause financial loss to the company and compromise the firm’s reputation. Stealing data is big business. Breaches like these remind all of us that cybercriminals are always one step ahead.

Build a culture where employees learn how sweeping data breaches can be. Employees, armed with this knowledge, may be more open to their employers’ enhanced security efforts.

Allow data privacy and user experience to complement each other

User experience is compromised if users don’t feel comfortable that data input is not securely stored. But at the same time, users expect an easy check-out. There is a way to provide both.

Offer security and data privacy in layers. Some users need a specialty item for a specific purpose. They don’t want to create an account or store their credit card. Offer options for one-time purchases and for customers who expect that they will continue purchasing goods or services from you.

Security and user experience can reside within the same space. Think of the excellent customer experiences that you’ve had. Examine what elements made your experience good. Now, see if you can integrate those elements into your organization’s web presence.

Author: Megan Isola holds a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality and a minor in Business Marketing from Cal State University Chico. She enjoys going to concerts, trying new restaurants, and hanging out with friends.