Our day-to-day lives have become so intertwined with the digital world to the point that most entities today cannot function properly without certain technologies. Likewise, these technologies heavily rely on data and insights gained through human use.
The digital space is ever-evolving and many new technologies are emerging every day. Some cater specifically to certain sectors and markets whilst others cut across different verticals and geographies. Great examples of such new technologies are the likes of cloud computing, virtual and augmented reality, artificial intelligence, cyber security, Internet of Things (IoT).
Below are some considerations that need to be factored in to ensure that there is a high trust culture when it comes to adopting and repeated usage of these technologies.
Security
Organisations can improve digital trust by prioritising and proving that they can safeguard peoples’ data from hacking, phishing, identity theft, and cyber-attacks. These days companies make use of ethical hackers, who proactively check for any vulnerabilities to their platforms thereby ensuring that such vulnerabilities are addressed before people exploit them.
Another way companies ensure the security of their data and web environments, is through partnerships with organisations that specialise in providing security across the digital spectrum. What most companies do is host their platforms or technologies on cloud services such as Azure, AWS, or Google where they can leverage the in-house skillsets within the companies.
High availability
The uptime of the technologies can have an impact on the level of trust people have in new technologies. If a system or service is frequently unavailable or experiences long periods of downtime, users may lose trust in the organisation's ability to deliver reliable and accessible digital services. Availability is important to digital trust because users expect digital systems and services to be accessible and functioning constantly and instantly.
Transparency
Organisations are obliged to inform the users how their personal information will be collected, stored, and used. These terms are typically written in the ‘terms and conditions’, but if you're like many people, myself included, you likely have accepted them without thoroughly reading the sometimes 20-plus pages. Don’t judge me we are all guilty of that!
There is a higher level of trust if companies are transparent and adhere to regulations such as General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and they only track the data they said they would and if they are held accountable for failure to do so.
Legislations
Legislation plays a crucial role in promoting digital trust by establishing laws and regulations that govern the use and protection of personal and sensitive information in the digital space. It sets standards for data protection, privacy, and security and holds organizations accountable for any breaches or violations. This creates a more secure environment for users and increases their confidence in the digital ecosystem.
In summary, the development of a high digital trust culture towards new technologies is crucial for the benefits and growth of society. It requires the participation of everyone involved in the digital ecosystem, including organisations, individuals, and governments, to establish and maintain trust in new technologies. Organisations should prioritise security and privacy, foster a culture of trust and responsibility, and have clear incident response and disaster recovery plans in place.
Keyrus is recognised expert in data & digital and can assist your organisation with all your technology needs. Our services include consulting, design, development, implementation, and training and we’d be delighted to discuss how best to use modern technology that promotes the digital trust culture in your organisation.
Learn more about Keyrus or contact us directly at steven.hunt@keyrus.co.za.