Four futures: privacy battles and chatty networks
Abstract
Purpose
Two completely different views on data distribution – the lockbox versus the chatty network – pose a dilemma that strategic planners must address and resolve. How do organizations make sense of conflicting possibilities for the future of information networks?
Design/methodology/approach
Recently the author participated in a discussion with privacy and security professionals attending an annual privacy and security conference titled “Seeking the middle path.” They explored four scenarios for the future of privacy and security.
Findings
The experts explored a future called Aikido – a scenario where the value proposition of networking takes precedence over privacy. Some of the elements of this scenario can be discerned from examining the offerings of companies that operate on the Internet today.
Research limitations/implications
Other companies need to explore these four scenarios in the light of their own security and privacy concerns as well as the possibilities of developing network business models.
Practical implications
The next step for CEOs struggling with issues of privacy and security: figure out the connection between sense making (expanding your view of new possibilities like networks and reperceiving what they mean to the industry and your organization) and business judgment (making concrete decisions that exploit that knowledge).
Originality/value
The author introduces a scenario called Aikido – a possible future where the value proposition of networking takes precedence over privacy. He shows how several existing companies are pioneering this value proposition.
Keywords
Citation
Randall, D. (2005), "Four futures: privacy battles and chatty networks", Strategy & Leadership, Vol. 33 No. 3, pp. 47-49. https://doi.org/10.1108/10878570510594451
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2005, Emerald Group Publishing Limited