Data security and privacy in e-government

E-government is the use of technology to deliver government services virtually. It has numerous advantages, including convenience, effectiveness and transparency. E-government, however, also brings up the issues with data security and privacy. Data security is the process to avoid unwanted access to information. The right to data privacy is the ability to manage personal data without interference or access to those by any unwanted person. Both data security and privacy are essential in e-government because governments collect and store a number of personal information about citizens and businesses. The information can include names, addresses, and dates of birth, social security numbers, financial information, and health information.

The governments have a responsibility to protect this information from unauthorised access and use. They must also respect the privacy of citizens and businesses by only collecting and using personal information for legitimate purposes. There are several data security and privacy threats in e-government, such as cyber-attacks, human error and data breaches. The governments can take several steps to protect data security and privacy, like implementing security measures and training employees. Citizens too have a role to play in protecting their information. They can do this by using strong passwords, being careful about what information they share and being aware of phishing scams.

Fahmid Uddin Ahmed,

Student of Department of Marketing,

North South University, Dhaka,

fahmid.ahmed4@northsouth.edu