Security, Confidentiality and Legal Issues (SCLIM)

Background notes for session 1 - Introduction

Social and ethical concerns

1. What do we mean by "confidential"?
2. Why do we keep some things in confidence?
3. What sort of information do we want to keep confidential?
4. Who are we keeping it confidential from?
5. What is the difference between confidential and secret?

The role of government

1. To what extent should the government legislate to ensure confidentiality?
2. How does the government decide what should be included in legislation?
3. Are the penalties for unauthorised disclosure appropriate (as a punishment; as a deterrent)?
4. Are the penalties appropriate for the victim's loss?

The role of professional bodies

1. To what extent do professional bodies control their members and their duty of confidentiality?
2. Should they do more? Should they do less?
3. Who watches the watchers?

Philosophical issues

1. Do we keep confidences because we have to or because we want to?
2. Are there "public interest" issues?

Security to ensure confidentiality

1. What levels of security are appropriate to keep some information confidential?
2. What levels of security are appropriate to keep some information secret?