Data lessons for Scots firms

It’s human nature that it sometimes takes a scare for us to change habits. Cambridge Analytica’s shutdown is unlikely to slow the scandal that bears its name.

However, with hindsight we must use it to change our behaviour. Although an extreme example, when it comes to health, a heart attack would be a solid indication to alter your lifestyle.

Consider the data scandal your very loud wake-up call to question exactly what social media platforms know about you, and more importantly, how they use that information.

Despite the death of its now-poisonous brand, revelations continue to emerge about the extent to which Cambridge Analytica used Facebook users’ data. While questions are asked about the legal boundaries that may have been crossed, and even Mark Zuckerberg admitting there has been a “breach of trust”, the moral issues are evident.

The accusation facing Cambridge Analytica is that it harvested the data of 50 million users from a seemingly innocuous personality quiz and used it without their knowledge to influence the US (and potentially UK) political arena.

But should our concerns actually be at Facebook’s door? After all, it holds a wealth of personal data belonging to users, which it sells to third parties, hence the site is filled with customised adverts. This is the real price for a free service.

Whenever you sign up to social media platforms, you grant access to a host of personal information, often even location details. How many people actually know that – or perhaps put it another way, how many people care?

So what’s the answer? Should we be deleting our profiles? That’s up for debate. However, what is clear is that we must become more aware of what’s shared online and how it might be used.

It’s time for businesses to work proactively alongside authorities, warning and educating individuals on wide-ranging issues relating to social media, not least the impression of their digital footprint.

This is especially relevant when electronic devices are used interchangeably for work and personal use.

In Scotland, we stand as good a chance as anyone to make the drive to create better understandings on how we behave online happen. Because of our size, partnership working between the businesses, academia and authorities is possible.

By sharing best practice and knowledge between professionals from the likes of Police Scotland, cyber experts, government and businesses of all sizes, we can become better-informed about the use of data and our rights surrounding data protection.

All we can hope for is that the scandal instigates a change to our approach about what we share online - and the permissions we hand to social media platforms.

● Gerry Grant is the chief ethical hacker with Curious Frank, a division of The Scottish Business Resilience Centre