The Tribune

Aliv yesterday detailed ways Bahamians can protect their electronic data as it participated in a roundtable discussion hosted by the Data Protection Commissioner's office.

Dwayne Davis, Aliv's chief solutions architect, presented on topics including information governance framework; key steps to compliance; the advantages and disadvantages of geo positioning on social networks; and personal data protection on the mobile provider's network.

"One of the key things that I'd like to note and share with you is the many ways in which you can protect your data, and one of them many of you are concerned about is via telecommunications," he said.

"I can say without a doubt that one of the most secure methods to protect your data is via a secure cellphone network because it's totally encrypted from end to end."

Mr Davis stressed the realities of device hacking, and the major role human error plays. "IOT is a major topic nowadays, and what this means is taking cellphone technology and allowing you to use WIFI," he said. "Once you are using the LTE network we can guarantee with a 99 per cent surety that your data transmission is protected.

"Now when it comes to apps, believe it or not the apps are not the devil; it's what the user does with it. Facebook knows where you are much better than Aliv because when you 'check-in' that's geo positioning; they know exactly where you are. Our towers can only render an approximate area. The police can find out more about you logging into your Facebook or WhatsApp."

Mr Davis also explained the role the Interception of Communications Bill plays as it relates to Aliv's network, adding that call logs and data generated are protected the same way banks hold account information and balances.

"There is nothing in The Bahamas that permits a member of the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) to walk in our office and say give me so and so's data; it doesn't work like that," he said.

"It has to be from the Commissioner of Police himself, via the court. The court will then send it to our legal department and then I can render whatever report they need. That's very important to note."

Mr Davis warned attendees to avoid simple passwords, leaving devices open and connecting their devices to unsecure networks when protecting their data.

Other speakers at Wednesday morning's toundtable included Deputy Prime Minister, K Peter Turnquest, and Data Protection Commissioner, Michael Wright.

"I think having an information session at this time proves to be worthwhile simply because of what's taking place even outside of our jurisdiction," Mr Wright said. "It is important that we continue to raise the awareness and enhance the education. The more we are aware of the challenges that we face with data protection, the better we are in protecting our own personal information."