It works in a similar fashion as shredding paper documents. When you shred a paper document, it makes it extremely difficult to read its contents. The same goes with data. Whether or not you know it, when you empty your Recycle Bin on your computer, that data and information is still on your computer. Through using shredding technology, you can make it extremely difficult for others to scour your hard drive for data and information you only thought you got rid of.

eff Jonas, chief scientist and distinguished engineer at IBM’s Entity Analytic Solutions group, has developed a means of sharing corporate data without revealing what that data contains. This technology, called anonymization, effectively “shreds” information, making it possible for companies to share information about their customers with governments or other companies without giving away any personal data. Jonas believes that over time, companies will increasingly use anonymization to defend their data — and corporate well-being — from competitors and identity thieves. Jonas recently sat down with IDG News Service’s Sumner Lemon in Singapore to discuss anonymization and how protecting customer privacy will make businesses more competitive. [more]

Tags: Computer Protection