Top 10 2014-I5 Privacy Concerns

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Consider anyone who has access to the device itself, the network the device is connected to, the mobile application and the cloud connection including external and internal users.

Attacker uses multiple vectors such as insufficient authentication, lack of transport encryption or insecure network services to view personal data which is being properly protected or is being collected unnecessarily. Depending on setup, attack could come from external or internal users.

Privacy concerns generated by the collection of personal data in addition to the lack proper protection of that data is prevalent. Privacy concerns are easy to discover by simply reviewing the data that is being collected as on sets up and activates these devices. Automated tools can also look for specific patterns of data that may indicate collection of personal data.

Collection of personal data along with a lack of protection of that data can lead to compromise of a user's personal data.

Consider the business impact of personal data that is collected unnecessarily or isn't protected properly. Data could be stolen or modified. Could your users be harmed by having their personal data exposed?

The most efficient way to determine if privacy concerns are present is to identify all data types that are being collected by the device, its mobile app and any cloud interfaces. The device and it's various components should only collect what is necessary to perform its function. In most cases, personally identifiable information is considered to be exposed when not properly encrypted while at rest on storage mediums and during transit over networks.

Ensuring the device minimizes privacy concerns requires:
 * 1) Ensuring only data critical to the functionality of the device is collected.
 * 2) Ensuring any data collected is properly protected with encryption.
 * 3) Ensuring the device and all of its components properly protected personal data.

Scenario #1: Collection of personal data.

Date of birth, home address, phone number, etc.

Scenario #2: Collection of financial and/or health information. Credit card data and bank account information.

In the cases above, the attacker is able to either easily guess the password or is able to capture the credentials as they cross the network and decode it since the credentials are only protected using Base64 Encoding.