Topic of the Week

Office of Public Affairs | Justice Department Issues Comprehensive Proposed Rule Addressing National Security Risks Posed to U.S. Sensitive Data | United States Department of JusticeOverview

Dwight Schrute knew what he was talking about, and with over 50,000 cases of identity theft reported each year in the US., and over 50,000 personal data breaches, it’s time we let his words sink in, because millions of families do suffer every year. So, let’s take a closer look at what identity theft really is, what signs to watch for, and how to protect yourself.

What is a digital footprint? Similar to physical footprints, this is defined as the unique trail of data that a person or business creates while using the internet. With how technologically advanced our society is, understanding your digital footprint is vital. 

Recently, during our meetings with all the departments about the need for an inventory of systems of record that store or create Personally Identifiable Information, or PII, many were surprised to learn that even something as simple as a name is considered PII.

If you are anything like me then you may be wondering, what the heck is quantum computing? Let's take a step back and explain this in simple terms. Think of traditional computers like really fast and efficient librarians. They organize and retrieve information using bits, which are like tiny light switches that can be either off (0) or on (1).

Have you ever noticed that after searching for a piece of furniture on a particular website, you suddenly find yourself bombarded with ads for console tables? It can feel a bit like you’re being watched, right? Well, you’re not far off; this is thanks to cookies placed on your computer by websites. So, let’s take a look at this beautiful tin of internet cookies!