What do you do if your marketing research project requires secure data sharing?

1 Why data security matters

Data security is not only a technical issue, but also a ethical and legal one. As a marketing researcher, you have a responsibility to protect the privacy and confidentiality of your data sources, whether they are individuals, organizations, or third parties. You also have to comply with the relevant regulations and standards, such as GDPR, HIPAA, or ISO 27001, that govern how you collect, store, and share data. Failing to do so can result in fines, lawsuits, or loss of trust.

2 How to assess your data security needs

Before you start sharing your data, you need to assess your data security needs and risks. This involves identifying the type, sensitivity, and value of your data, as well as the potential threats and vulnerabilities that could affect it. You also need to consider the purpose, scope, and duration of your data sharing, and the expectations and obligations of your data recipients. Based on this assessment, you can determine the appropriate level of protection and encryption for your data, and the best methods and platforms to share it.

3 How to encrypt your data

Encryption is a process of transforming your data into an unreadable format that can only be decoded with a key or a password. Encryption helps you prevent unauthorized access, tampering, or leakage of your data, especially when you transmit it over the internet or store it on a cloud service. There are different types of encryption, such as symmetric, asymmetric, or hybrid, that suit different scenarios and use cases. You can encrypt your data using software tools, such as VeraCrypt, AxCrypt, or BitLocker, or online services, such as BoxCryptor, Tresorit, or NordLocker.

4 How to share your data securely

Once you have encrypted your data, you need to choose a secure way to share it with your intended recipients. There are several options available, depending on your preferences and requirements. For example, you can use email attachments, file transfer protocols (FTP), secure sockets layer (SSL) connections, or cloud storage services. However, you need to make sure that you use strong passwords, verify the identity of your recipients, and limit the access and permissions of your data. You also need to monitor and audit your data sharing activities, and delete or revoke your data when it is no longer needed.

5 How to communicate your data security policies

Communication is a key aspect of data security, as it helps you establish trust and transparency with your data sources and recipients. You need to inform them about your data security policies and procedures, such as how you collect, store, and share data, what encryption methods you use, what rights and responsibilities they have, and how you handle data breaches or incidents. You can communicate your data security policies through various channels, such as consent forms, contracts, agreements, or privacy notices.

6 How to improve your data security skills

Data security is a dynamic and evolving field, and you need to keep up with the latest trends, technologies, and best practices. You can improve your data security skills by taking online courses, reading blogs and newsletters, joining forums and communities, or attending webinars and events. You can also seek advice and guidance from experts, consultants, or mentors, who can help you design and implement your data security strategy. By improving your data security skills, you can enhance your credibility and value as a marketing researcher.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?