Data Governance

20 September 2021

By Dr. Ann Cavoukian, Executive Director of the Global Privacy & Security by Design Centre & Creator of the Privacy by Design Framework

In this Q&A, Dr. Ann Cavoukian, discusses why data privacy and strong data protection are critically important. Dr. Cavoukian argues that if we are to preserve free and open societies, we must preserve the privacy and security of our online communications.
 

12 April 2021

By Stefan Lemm, former Head, Military Operations Unit, OICT

Data Privacy and Protection is one of the key aspects of the Secretary-General’s Data Strategy. It is clear that protecting people from indiscriminate data collection is important because it might result in data misuse, for instance, by businesses. But a potentially more dangerous scenario would be that data collected in good faith ends up in the hands of ill-meaning actors who intend to intimidate or even threaten the victim's personal safety.

14 October 2020 

By Yu Ping Chan, Senior Programme Officer/Team Leader, Digital Cooperation, Office of the Special Advisor to the Secretary-General

As we continue the conversation on how the international community should engage with data, we must also consider the broader context: the need for global steerage on digital technologies. Today, more than ever before, the international community must carefully examine and confront the world of digital technologies.

8 September 2020 

A Q&A with Melanie A. Mecca, Chief Executive Officer, DataWise

The scope of information that the UN defines, produces and uses is vast and complex. In June, the UN published the Secretary-General’s "Data Strategy for Action by Everyone, Everywhere" – a roadmap for data-driven change in the Organization.

22 May 2020

By Mahsa Hedayati and Amanda Wang, Information System Officers, Policy, Strategy and Governance Division, OICT

The topic of privacy is gaining momentum in the mainstream big data discourse. Governments, policy makers, businesses, academics, and civil society are increasingly reflecting on how to strike the right balance between the potential benefits of exponential data collection and discovery, on the one hand, and the protection and privacy of data subjects, on the other hand.  

24 April 2020

By Syed Ahmed, Senior Manager of Business Systems, Operations Support Division, UN Office of Information and Communications Technology

My team and I lead self-service analytics initiatives in the United Nations and our work has helped transform the Organization’s approach to data. I believe that as the UN continues to make analytics platforms available to mostly non-technical business users, the value proposition for effective data governance is imperative.