What does secure data handling refer to?

Secure data handling refers to the established policies and practices that ensure sensitive information is collected, processed, stored, and disposed of in a secure manner. This involves implementing measures to protect data from unauthorized access and ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory standards.

When organizations follow secure data handling practices, they tend to develop clear guidelines about how to collect personal or sensitive information, how to secure it during its lifecycle, and finally, how to properly dispose of it when it's no longer needed. This practice is crucial in maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of data, preventing data breaches, and fostering trust with clients and customers.

Collecting data without permission or sharing sensitive data without protocols would not align with secure handling protocols, nor would using unencrypted data transmissions, as these practices increase the risk of unauthorized access and data leaks.