Imagine if privacy had its own API—an interface that simplifies and streamlines the way companies handle sensitive data. Sean Falconer, Head of Marketing at Skyflow, compares APIs to electrical plugs.
As a user of an electrical plug, all I care about is making sure there’s electricity getting to my lamp so I’m not sitting in the dark. I don’t care about all the wiring that’s going on within the walls. That was done by an electrician with specific domain expertise. This is the same for an API.
Today, APIs are available for various tasks like messaging, money transfers, sentiment analysis, and even creating cat memes. However, what about privacy? This is the question that Sean Falconer will explore at the Shift Conference in Miami. He will share the unique challenges faced by Skyflow when developing an API-based solution for data privacy.
Privacy should not be an afterthought
Privacy should not be an afterthought in product development; it should be a day-one priority and an integral part of a company’s culture. Every individual within an organization shares the responsibility of safeguarding privacy. When adopting third-party tools, careful consideration must be given to how those tools secure and manage customer data. Privacy should not be reduced to a checkbox during the launch process, but rather be an inherent part of the design cycle.
From a technological standpoint, it is crucial to recognize that sensitive customer data demands special handling and treatment. Sean Falconer likens it to handling a passport—making thousands of copies or granting uncontrolled access would be unthinkable.
However, historically, companies treated all data equally, resulting in sensitive customer information being copied and scattered across their systems. This fragmentation makes it challenging to protect data and ensure compliance:
What ends up happening is that the sensitive customer data is copied and fragmented throughout the entire system. Instead of just one copy of someone’s personal information, you have thousands of copies. Over time, you simply have no idea where and what you’re storing. If you don’t know where it is, or what it is, that makes it impossible to protect it and makes compliance impossible.
Attempting to address these issues, companies deploy cybersecurity tools to restrict access, control data flow, and support various use cases. However, these measures are akin to applying a bandage to a broken arm—they fail to address the underlying infrastructure problem. Consequently, data breaches and compliance issues persist despite significant investments in data security.
Do not underestimate the complexity of the task
Some companies choose to tackle data security and privacy on their own, underestimating the complexity of the task. Hashing or encrypting data within databases might seem like a solution, but it is not the primary focus for most organizations. They lack the necessary talent, domain knowledge, expertise, and focus required to effectively address these challenges.
In his presentation at Shift Miami, Sean Falconer will delve into the intricacies of ensuring data privacy. He will examine how tech giants like Netflix, Apple, and Google have pioneered the zero-trust data privacy vault—a groundbreaking technology. Skyflow has drawn inspiration from these leaders to create a user-friendly data privacy vault accessible through an API. The audience will witness the evolution of this API and gain insights into controlling access to sensitive data.
With the advent of privacy APIs, the paradigm of data protection is set to change. Companies can now tap into specialized expertise and innovative solutions without the need for in-depth technical knowledge. Privacy is no longer an afterthought but an integral part of every product and service, ensuring the security and trust of customer data in an increasingly connected world.
Make sure to catch Sean’s talk on Shift MIami!
