Reliability of data protection refers to processes that guarantee that personal data is gathered legally, securely stored and never shared or used in violation of a person’s rights. It encapsulates everything from ensuring that data collection tools adhere to industry standards, to educating data collectors and creating clear guidelines for managing data.
It is crucial to distinguish between data reliability (such as whether the same outcome could be obtained if the measurement was repeated) and data validity (such as whether it accurately measures what it is intended to measure). While data reliability is focused on consistency (such as whether the exact result could be achieved in the event of a repeat measurement), data validity is more concerned with the accuracy of the data (like whether it accurately measures what it intended to measure).
Unreliable data can result in negative consequences. For instance when a business relies on unreliable information for making decisions or for deciding on its strategy, it could end with a loss of resources or invest in unprofitable projects. It can also erode trust among customers, employees as well as partners and erode accountability. In certain instances, using inaccurate data could have legal and statutory consequences.
Reliable data collection is a difficult task, however, there are numerous methods to achieve this. Adopting standard methods, educating the data collectors and supplying reliable tools are among keep data safe the most efficient methods. It’s also crucial to establish clear data retention policies and establish feedback loops for users to report issues. It’s also essential to ensure integrity of data by ensuring that the backup of all systems is done correctly and and recover processes function as they should.