Difference between Data Protection and Data Security

Key Difference: Data security deals with the protection of a database from any kind of actions or forces that can be dangerous for the database. This term is generally used for securing the data from accessibility of unauthorized users. Data protection can be used in two contexts. Firstly, it may be used as the same as data security. Secondly, it may be used for ensuring the availability of data for access by authorized users.

Data protection and data security are two relevant terms used in context to data. Today, with the concept of digital data, both are given a lot of importance. Generally, both the words are used in the same context. They both refer to securing the data. The data is keep secured from numerous threats. Data can be theft in a similar way as other entities are theft. Thus, sensitive information is kept at high level security zone.

At the very granular level, one can still differentiate the two. This differentiation is based on the other sense of data protection which also focuses on keeping the data safe for access. In this context, data security focuses on keeping the data secure from any kind of from nefarious exploitation. On the other hand, data protection can be referred to keeping the data secure so that it remains available.

Data security deals with the protection of a database from any kind of actions or forces that can be dangerous for the database. It is basically securing the data from accessibility of unauthorized users.

Data Protection can be used in two contexts. It can be used as the same as data security, where it is protecting the data from being accessed by unauthorized users. On the other hand, data protection may also be used for protecting the data from viewpoint of authorized users, so that this data can be accessed easily later. For example, it may refer to data recovery, where one can find and restore corrupted files, and use the restored files later.

Thus, data protection can be used as a synonym of data security or a technique to ensure the data’s availability by authorized users. Data Protection deals with ensuring the availability to access the data. Data is protected in numerous ways by using data replication and data archiving techniques.

Comparison between Data Protection and Data Security:

	Data Protection	Data Security
Definitions	Data Protection can be used in two contexts. First Meaning - It can be used as the same as data security, where it is protecting the data from being accessed by unauthorized users. Second meaning - On the other hand, data protection may be used for protecting the data from viewpoint of authorized users, so that this data can be accessed easily later.	Data security deals with the protection of a database from any kind of actions or forces that can be dangerous for the database. It is basically securing the data from accessibility of unauthorized users.
Techniques	Techniques incontext to the first meaning would remain the same as data security For second definition – Backups, Data recovery, Data archiving, data replication,etc.	Disk encryption Hardware based mechanisms to prevent data from being stolen Data masking Data erasure Implementation of firewall and ACLs (access control lists)
Levels	For the first definition, the levels will remain the same as data security For the second definition – it is generally implemented at the core data level	Data Level – by implementing techniques like encryption Access Control level – by techniques like role based access control, etc. Network, OS and Application level - by implementing firewalls Physical Environment level – by techniques like biometric reader Operation and organization level – by policies and procedures
Common Meaning	Keeping data safe and secure	Keeping data secure