The Data Privacy Vanguard: The Vital Role of Technology Developers and Technology Implementors
Data Privacy is a hot issue that organizations must deal with when using technology and managing the data of individuals in organizational systems. As we move forward into an era with the exponential increase of data and a vast number of new Data Privacy laws coming into force, we need to look more to the Vanguard for help: the Technology Developers and Technology Implementors.
The Technology Developers and Technology Implementors are the frontline professionals who have the opportunity to impact Data Privacy issues as part of their work. They have a birds-eye view of the technology and are in the best position to help review and minimize the harm their designs or implementations may cause. The role of Technology Developers and Implementors in Data Privacy is vital, and it is important to acknowledge how they can proactively assist organizations in reducing downstream Data Privacy challenges.
How Technology Developers can minimize data Privacy Risks
Technology Developers are responsible for creating new technologies and applications that help organizations function and meet their business goals. As technology continues to advance, it is important for Technology Developers to develop a "privacy by default" mindset, which means that privacy should be built into technology during the design phase. Technology Developers have the opportunity to understand the purpose and use of the technologies being developed and can consider how humans may be both positively and negatively impacted by their technologies.
Technology Developers can also help reduce Data Privacy challenges by working with privacy-enhancing technologies (PETs). They must ensure that the data they collect is used for the purpose it was collected and that they collect only the necessary data. They must also ensure that the data they collect is secure and is not accessible by unauthorized individuals. Finally, they must be transparent about how they use the data they collect.
Technology development focused on features and functionality in the past, and privacy was often an afterthought. However, with the increase in Data Privacy as a vital business requirement, it is becoming increasingly important for Technology Developers to consider privacy from the outset of development. Technology Developers must ensure that they build technologies that make it easier for businesses that use their innovations to comply with all Data Privacy business requirements, laws, and regulations.
How Technology Implementors can minimize Data Privacy Risks
Technology Implementors, on the other hand, are responsible for implementing technologies for organizations. Technology is necessary for the operations of the organizations, and Technology Implementors may be unintentionally systematically breaking Data Privacy laws and running afoul of Data Privacy business requirements if implementations are not customized for the specific use cases needed by the business. For example, if a company is in a state that makes it illegal to collect or retain employee biometric data, it will be the implementer's job to ensure that the technologies can be configured to account for this adjustment to reduce data collection. Technology Implementors, in collaboration with legal experts, are in a position to ensure that the technology they implement complies with all Data Privacy business needs, laws, and regulations.
When organizations embark upon “Digital Transformation”, this often means that organizations are not replacing technology "like for like." This means that the more modern technologies being implemented will often have additional features, including the ability to collect new data or more data than legacy technologies which may create additional Data Privacy risks for organizations.
New technologies are being implemented in organizations, and Technology Implementors have an opportunity to ensure that they take into account Data Privacy risks when implementing the new technologies. Technology Implementors can ensure that the data collected by the new technologies are secure and that the technology complies with all Data Privacy business requirements, laws, and regulations.
Policies and procedures developed are part of the Technology Implementors' work and are as important as the technology being implemented. Technology Implementors can ensure that the policies and procedures they develop comply with Data Privacy business requirements, laws, and regulations. Technology Implementors can also ensure that the policies and procedures they develop are effective in protecting the privacy of the data collected. Technology Implementors can help reduce Data Privacy challenges by ensuring that the technology they implement is secure and that the data collected by the technology is only used for the purpose it was collected. They must also ensure transparency about how they use the data collected.
The role of Technology Developers and Technology Implementors in Data Privacy is vital. Their work can be a new front line for organizations that will help businesses make Data Privacy a Business advantage.
