U.K Government Launches Consultation on Data Brokers and National Security
Acknowledging that data is one of Britain's most valuable assets, the U.K. government Monday sought public input on ensuring safe and secure access to data and building public trust.
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The consultation seeks comment on activities involved in facilitating access to U.K. data, including data on people, businesses, infrastructure and more, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) said. This involves data brokerage, where pre-packaged or tailored datasets are obtained at speed and scale, it said.
While data brokers can help realize the benefits of data sharing, there's also the potential for hostile actors such as cybercriminals to obtain U.K. data on the market, and to exploit it in malign ways that could affect national security, DSIT said in its announcement.
DSIT wants to understand more about data brokers and the wider industry, it said. In particular, it wants information on the operations, security practices and customers of data brokers to help it with policy development.
The consultation focuses on: (1) The definition and services of data brokers. (2) National security risk associated with the industry. (3) The effectiveness of data brokers' security and governance frameworks. (4) Information on data brokers' customer base and consumer awareness of the sector.
Comments are due May 12.