Title: Towards bridging the knowledge gap between lawyers and technologists

Authors: Rasika Dayarathna

Addresses: Department of Computer and Systems Sciences, Stockholm University/Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden

Abstract: Although Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has made our lives more comfortable, it has also increased threats to our privacy by making the processing and storing of personal information more convenient and economical. Consequently, a huge demand has been created for the proper handling of personal information. Some countries have introduced data protection and privacy legislation measures to ensure the proper handling of personal information. Data controllers deploy organisational and technological measures to protect personal information. Technologists are then involved in designing, implementing and operating these measures to a great extent. It has been shown, however, that a knowledge gap exists between legal privacy advocates and technologists who protect personal information. In order to hold a healthy dialogue, a common platform must be created for technologists and legal privacy advocates. This paper proposes a methodology for bridging the knowledge gap between technologists and legal privacy advocates. This platform facilitates a way for both parties to have a fruitful dialogue.

Keywords: information privacy; information security; information technology; legal understandability; legal information; IT law; ICT; personal information; data protection; legal privacy.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTTC.2008.020695

International Journal of Technology Transfer and Commercialisation, 2008 Vol.7 No.1, pp.34 - 43

Published online: 12 Oct 2008 *

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