Information Management and Governance of UK Government - Assignment Example

Information Management And Governance Case Of UK Government Abstract The Government being a very important part of a nation has very high security standards that govern how data is shared and stored. This the government argues that, is because it is likely to suffer attacks more as compared to the private sector. Some Governments have initiatives that allow for data sharing with others. This data is available digitally and is also integrated to produce citizen services and information products that are value added. The provision of services to the citizens often requires that the government shares the information it has with other bodies and also among itself between departments. This data will most of the times contain sensitive information. It is therefore good that as the government shares this information, it ensures that it is well taken care of and also in safe hands. As the government seeks to have safe data storage and sharing systems, it should also ensure that Gold Plating will not hinder its information sharing. These gold plating specifications may seem to work well in the protection of the data and resources, but if in excess, they will disable the government with the emerging technologies that allow for secure information sharing. This action might also serve to lock out Small Marketing Enterprises (SME’s) that might seek to do business with the government, to whom relevant information might no be available to. Introduction The open initiatives of the governments do encourage the sharing of government information and data in order to create good environment that will promote more innovation and create better services for citizens and the society at large. This action transforms the government into a so called ‘smart’ government. Its most important duties at this point is to share its information with the citizens. Governments have many data and information sources. This information includes information and data on property ownership, crime, business, traffic data and intelligence. If this information and data are shared in an unprecedented manner, then there will be creation of innovative products and services for citizens, business and governments too. In addition the social media has a way of collecting and generating large amounts of records of the citizens' voices and also opinions about the government. And there goes the second aspect of a smart government; to create an opportunity for the citizens to table their inputs and also share them among government agencies in a timely manner. In this report, we discuss the U.K. government's efforts to have systems in place where the information can be shared and regulated at the same time. We look at how the gold plating has affected the government’s information sharing and also the different issues that arise due to the different strategies that the government assume in information management and governance. Profound technological and social forces are working to reshape the public sector, its constituent relationships and also governance structures. The adoption by governments of social technologies will definitely empower the citizens on an unprecedented scale. What effect does this have on personal data security and privacy? This paper also looks at the implication of this new way of governing and its effects. As the government considers whether to embrace or not to embrace these forces, in part or whole, it will have to consider all or any effects that this might have on privacy. To be said to be successful, the government will have to build privacy in an early stage in their formation to ensure continuity and assuring public trust. Privacy Defined Informational privacy is the right of an individual to have and exercise control over the use and collection of their personal information. Personal information is information that can be related to a personal individual. A specific example is the phone number, house number and an individual's name. It is also important to remember that almost any kind of information if it is linked to an identifiable individual, can become personal in nature. It may be geographical, locational, national even reputation. Therefore, the definition of the term ‘privacy’ can be quite broad in this sense. In the spirit of trying to manage a set of personal data, a set of management principles that are international are put into consideration. These principles are referred to as Fair Information practices (FIP). These FIP’s help in the expression of self-determination by asking the organizations that are collecting personal information to: Be accountable for the management of this personal information. Have data security in place capable of handling such kind of information without compromise. Involve the data subjects in the handling and management of their own personal data. These FIPs have since become the international standards for Private- and Public-sector information privacy management laws. A number of factors must be put into consideration when implementing these privacy laws. These include legal requirements, social norms, available technologies and business processes. We need to make sure that these privacy provisions are applied in a practical manner. These needs also to take into account a balancing of these varied interests, risks and benefits. There should also be an understanding that security does not match privacy. Though security is very important, privacy deals with a deaper level off information protection. Government as Citizen Data Custodian The creation of information is increasing, and the data is being replicated by the moment. The terms ‘information destruction’ are not used any longer. This is because the information and data that is online has acquired an immortal life as digital bits and bytes. With a lot of data available electrically online, we depend more on advanced mining and searching, rather than traditional sorting techniques to enhance the analysis of the data and management of the information to try and make data elements became more valuable knowledge. The governments in place have a major role to play in these evolving landscapes of data and information management. They are the main custodians of personal information of its citizens. They are becoming more vulnerable and sensitive as they are getting to be more connected with other parties more. Because of the fact that they are the custodians of the personal information, they cannot manage to operate under the same principles as the private sector. Here, the desired role of and individuals choice and consent is diminished. There is also no competition and the government have the right to compel an individual to disclose information to assist it in the making of decisions concerning that person. A positive Sum Approach Some might be of the view that the existing laws are acting as barriers to governmental structural reforms efforts. Privacy laws have made it very clear that the information collected for one program cannot be used in another or for another purpose. As a result, the efforts by governments to create a whole inhouse silos of data and information are rendered futile as the different departments will not share the much data that they have collected due to the law and other interoperability issues. Data protection and privacy laws have always had dual purposes, seeking to recognize the rights of an individual and protect them from harm, such as the law does: To promote business. Ensure that personal data which is collected is used and shared in a manner that is open and transparent. Ensure uninterrupted, free and responsible uses of personal information. The government works to practice collaborative governance through: Creating a policy and delivery service that delivers optimal services to the public. Create value, innovation and commitment. Instill transparency in the way political decisions are made and services delivered. Bring a new responsiveness and agility in the way societies are being governed. The associated accountability and governance challenges apply across all of the government’s activities. This includes the front office which engages the people in political dialogue that seeks to advocate for the compliance with the laws governing the protection of their personbal data through information sharing. Data Accountability When the government taps into automated or self service processes, it increases and improves its efficiency. One such example is the Peer-to-Patent collaborative community which aims to improve the whole process of how patents are reviewed. It is the government’s prerogative to promote collaboration between its branches and bodies. This will go a long way in improving the data and information sharing by the branches and its organizations. Currently wikis are being used by the government to try and enhance cooperation across and within the organizations. In this new era of data and information sharing, the so called data silos will have to be done away with. New non-governmental actors will be added into the scene and data is bound to be shared more outside the organizational scene. Collaboration of the government with the private sector on service delivery offers efficiecncy as a plus to the government. While it is very refreshing and interesting that there are less than official dialogue channels and information sharing platforms between the government and the broader community, some limits must be applied. The potential breaches to the data confidentiality must be looked into. At least a clear limit and guideline should be published dictating just how much one can divulge about another’s private data. Data Minimization Mass online participation in data communication and transfer can generate a lot of data about opinions, preferences, habits, conversations and relationships that might as well be used for many other non-related activities. The online participation of specific persons can create avenues for their information and data to be collected and snooped upon by governments and other unknown or known entities. If the government allows for the communication of data with other outside parties online, it stands the chance of exposing data to third parties or even exposing information in capacities that are not necessary. The data or information can also be used by these persons or organizations in ways that are not in line with the wishes of the individual persons with whose data they have in possession.There is therefore the need for the government to minimize the data that is shared with other parties. If too much data are shared and also collected by the government, the citizens might raise questions as to how much of their information is being shared to third parties and also how much of it is being used by the government to make decisions that concern them. Too much data sharing online can lead to the discrimination of the concerned person. Where decisions about the person are being made and some of their personal information is online, the conclusions might be reached that are not well reason upon. For example, a person might miss an employment opportunity because of a joke that they posed on Facebook. Come to think of it, it might not be the person who actually posted the joke, but because the account is in their name, this might really cost them opportunities. Information like the stated above example are not necessary and should not be the determining factors of how one should be handled by the government. Conclusive decisions should only be reached when very critical information is surveyed and analyzed not petty jokes, thereby there is need to have a mechanism that will minimize the data that is shared. Information is power, and if in the wrong hands and in the wrong quantity, information can be used for all the wrong purposes. For example, if the government has too much information on an individual and gets to share this with private firms, then the private firms can manipulate the person into a deal using their information. Also an omniscient state can know too much about people and justify its interference in their private lives . Whether you are a search engine, the government or are an internet service provided, the data minimization principle should rule. There should be strong policies on the amount of personal data that should be stored and for how long this data of information can or should be stored. Data Security. When and if the governments creates means for there to be sharing of information within its bodies and departments and other non-governmental organizations, then the security of the data will always become an issue. This security is all about the confidentiality of the data being handled and who gets to use or view it. Governments should be governed by strong data security regulations. As the Government consolidates and centralizes the data with the prospects of having no data redundancy and to be able to manage the data and who is viewing it, then it also becomes quite easy to lose the data, have it accidentally disclosed to the wrong persons and also in some cases stolen. Such a case is expressed by Michael Castagna, who is the chief information security officer of the U.S. Commerce. He said ‘we must get to acknowledge the peril of technology. There are criminal elements that are targeting intellectual assets like persons personal information and credit card details with the aim of selling this information.’. The U.K. and U.S. governments have times in the past been rocked by sad revelations that they practice poor data security policies that have allowed for millions of sensitive personal records to be stolen. Though a positive technological aspect that the governments might be embracing, data sharing and consolidation might be a good practice with its own consequences. These governments should ensure there are no loopholes for this records to be stolen or even viewed by unauthorized personnel. The governments should also ensure that this personal data is fully de-anonymized whenever it is to be viewed or accessed by the public. Conclusion The government has a mandate and duty to share and store personal data safely. It however should ensure that the data that is in their possession is well secured and protected against privacy breaches and also well minimized at all the stages of information life cycle. The use of technology by the governments to create avenues for data sharing and fostering transparency should not come at the expense of personal privacy. References Ballard, Mark. “U.K. Regulator urges caution on data sharing,” x. The Register, 29 May 2007, at: www.theregister.co.uk/2007/05/29/data_sharing_stopgap/ U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General, “Review of xii. Issues Related to the Loss of VA Information Involving the Identity of Millions of Veterans,” at: www.va.gov/oig/51/FY2006rpts/VAOIG-06-02238-163.pdf,(June 2008) on the U.K. government’s loss of 25 million confidential personal data on Child Benefit recipients at: www.hm- Zimmer, Michael. “Privacy and Surveillance in Web 2.0: Unintended Consequences and the Rise of ‘Netaveillance’” at: ix. www.anonequity.org/weblog/archives/2007/05/privacy_and_surveillance_in_we.php Read More