Convenience vs. security - the dilemma becomes personal
Tuesday, March 24, 2009 at 05:01PM I've written before about how Larry Cuban's differentiation between problems and dilemmas has been useful to me in thinking about how to deal with conflicts in schools. My emphasis has been on how competing values, each valid, between groups like techs and teachers can cause dilemmas in dealing with security issues.
But the dilemma of balancing security and convenience is becoming an increasingly personal one for most of us. While this has been on my radar screen for quite a while, some responses to last week's post Could You Live in the Cloud? reminded me just what a hot and confusing topic online privacy and security can be.
When I wrote that I would be experimenting with a move to a cloud-based comptuing environment, using web-based applications and storage, several readers thought I was nuts:
Steve wrote:
I'm not that interested in the cloud...mostly because of ownership issues. If it's on my system, I'm responsible for it and keeping it private, safe and available. If it's on Google's or Microsoft's systems, who's responsible for it? Not that these companies would let my data out in the public, but who can be sure?
Peter adds:
You didn't mention privacy issues. Some "cloud computing" is fine, but some should be avoided. I find the trend for schools to shift their email and office work to the cloud irresponsible.
Lazygal agrees:
...what happens when that 3rd party abuses your privacy? Worse, what if they go out of business/get sold to another company? Giving up too much control over our information and intellectual property can be a dangerous thing.
and Libby worries specicially about Google:
I'm just not 100% sure we should smooth the way for Google's world take-over. Yes, this is an overstatement, and yes, I use Gmail and GoogleDocs and plain old Google because they work so well. But I'm not willing to trust them completely. (There has certainly been concern raised about Google's mission to know everything about everybody.)
My guess is (and I could be completely wrong) the same folks who are concerned about storing their e-mail and documents with Google have online bank accounts, access their children's grades online, and put embarrassing photos and/or stories on their Facebook pages. They order from Amazon, Netflix and Travelocity and appreciate the "recommendations" these sites make based on past purchases or searches. When their districts use ASPs (remote application server providers) for data mining, web-hosting or even student information systems, there are few eyebrows raised. These ASPs are, after all, responsible companies.
Most of us will need to find a personal level of comfort in balancing privacy and security with convenience and access. I find it impossible to say another person is a fool based on how much or how little he/she puts online. I tend to have a high level of trust in online sites, having used them now for many years without a (known) problem. But if others choose to be more cautious, so be it. They may certainly turn out to be the wise ones.
I do, however, hope we base our decisions and help others base their choices about online use on facts, not speculative "what-if" scenarios. I have not heard of any major problems with either data or privacy loss by users of GoogleDocs or Zoho or live@edu. My experience to date shows that GoogleDocs is far more reliable than any personal computer I've used.
"You have my trust until you abuse it." I work that way with people.
Why not with websites?
Reader Comments (6)
I think this is a great, thoughtful response, and I especially take your point about using such services as Amazon and online banking!
Leave it to me to get down the the true core of the issue. WHERE can I find the tech guy action figure? My Librarian Action figure needs a playmate. Plus - I think our tech guy would just LOVE to have one.
If one chooses to give up their privacy, then so be it. What bothers me is an educator who makes that choice for students. By default, teachers should not be telling students to upload their work to 3rd-party servers unless there is a valid reason to do so. And no, "convenience" is not a valid reason.
Hi Libby,
It takes good comments like yours to help me process my ideas about topics. I appreciate each response you leave as well!
All the best,
Doug
Hi Jacquie,
I think I got my on Archie McPhee but I couldn't find him again. Google "Geek Action Figure" and you can find other sites where he is for sale.
I have a Jesse Ventura bobble-head to keep my Laura Pearle action figure company. Please don't tell anyone I play with dolls.
All the best,
Doug
Hi Peter,
Do you have any evidence/studies that 3rd party servers are less secure than in-district storage? This sounds like a bit of job protectionism by a tech department to me.
All the best,
Doug
It isn't about security so much as trust. That is, trust in the relationship you have with those who have copies of your information. As I said above, I'm all for your choice to put your documents in others' hands - knock yourself out...hell, send me a copy if you like. But I think it is irresponsible to lead students and their work down that path unless there's a better reason than "convenience".
Someone once told me, "You're being uptight. Why would Google care what your 10th grade students wrote for their history assignment?" My response is - If you are teaching the next Barack Obama or John McCain, you can bet there are many who would do what they can to access such information 30 years down the road.
I find this discussion really interesting. I just wrote a post a few days ago about the battle grounds of tech folks and teachers. Shouldn't us tech folks remove the barriers that makes using technology difficult for teachers? It seems that often we create hurdles that teachers and students must overcome to get to the learning for the sake of security. How secure does your network and data need to be if no one uses it?