The increased data gathering, sharing and storage capabilities of digital technology has led to an explosion in the amount of personal data processed by governments and companies – often without a commensurate investment in measures to protect that data. This lecture will cover key technological and legal trends in data protection and information security, and consider the two key drivers of security and efficiency in government use of personal data.
This multi-disciplinary course exposes students to basic communications and computer science materials on the core technological principles of the Internet, as well as more traditional social science materials such as public policy documents and reports as well as academic texts. In order to reinforce students’ appreciation of the importance of adopting a technologically informed approach to studying the Internet, the course covers several key policy debates such as content regulation, privacy and security and Internet governance, in each case identifying the extent to which the range of policy options is narrowed or expanded by fast-moving technological innovation, and shifts in public policy and regulation. This will, in addition, enable students to appreciate the broader implications and relevance of academic study in this field.
