Four futures: privacy battles and chatty networks

Purpose – Two completely different views on data distribution – the lockbox versus the chatty network – pose a dilemma that strategic planners must address and resolve. How do organizations make sense of conflicting possibilities for the future of information networks? Design/methodology/approach – Recently the author participated in a discussion with privacy and security professionals attending an annual privacy and security conference titled “Seeking the middle path.” They explored four scenarios for the future of privacy and security. Findings – The experts explored a future called Aikido – a scenario where the value proposition of networking takes precedence over privacy. Some of the elements of this scenario can be discerned from examining the offerings of companies that operate on the Internet today. Research limitations/implications – Other companies need to explore these four scenarios in the light of their own security and privacy concerns as well as the possibilities of developing network business models. Practical implications – The next step for CEOs struggling with issues of privacy and security: figure out the connection between sense making (expanding your view of new possibilities like networks and reperceiving what they mean to the industry and your organization) and business judgment (making concrete decisions that exploit that knowledge). Originality/value – The author introduces a scenario called Aikido – a possible future where the value proposition of networking takes precedence over privacy. He shows how several existing companies are pioneering this value proposition.