Knowledge management needs security too
| Pages | 45-48 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/03055720610667363 |
| Published date | 01 January 2006 |
| Date | 01 January 2006 |
| Author | Julie J.C.H. Ryan |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management |
KNOWLEDGE/INFORMATION SECURITY
Knowledge management needs
security too
Julie J.C.H. Ryan
Department of Engineering Management and Systems Engineering,
The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
Abstract
Purpose – This paper proposes that research should be conducted in how to manage the tension
between the conflicts of interest between knowledge sharing and knowledge protection.
Design/methodology/approach – This paper gives an overview of the security needs of
knowledge management.
Findings – A particularly interesting challenge is the conflict of interest between individuals
(including enterprises) and communities of practice. Innovation spurred through common interest can
be dangerous for individuals in the short term, while beneficial to the community as a whole. Greater
understanding of these tensions can assist managers in understanding how and when to apply
protections in knowledge management.
Originality/value – Contains useful information on the security needs of knowledge management.
Keywords Knowledge management, Data security
Paper type General review
The vast majority of research in the knowledge management (KM) field has been
focused on identifying, capturing, and ensuring the ability to share knowledge for the
betterment of the enterprise. This well meaning and important research is fundamental
to understanding enterprise management in the information age. However, a
fundamental conflict exists that must be addressed. This conflict arises from the
intersection of the nature of innovation and the rewards of innovation.
The nature of innovation is such that ideas are imagined based on contextualizing
concepts in novel arrangements: in other words, from somebody dreaming up an idea
that no one else has considered. The rewards of innovation can be enormous – in
market share, in revenue, in reputation – and is accounted for through patents,
copyrights, and trade secret protections. Innovation is spurred through the sharing of
information but is protected through the mechanisms of intellectual capital protections.
A fundamental need exists in KM to understand how to most effectively manage the
inherent conflict of interest between the need to spur innovation through the sharing of
knowledge and the needs to protect intellectual capital developed from that innovation.
This, truly, is a non-trivial problem.
The practice of information security is predicated upon the notion that information
assets can be identified as needing protection and then according those assets such
protection. Typically, the protection levels are posited in terms of confidentiality,
integrity, and availability. The needs are expressed positively: what assets need
confidentiality protection? Which need integrity protection? Once these questions are
answered, tools and technologies can be acquired to help assure such protection in the
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at
www.emeraldinsight.com/0305-5728.htm
Knowledge
management
security
45
VINE: The journal of information and
knowledge management systems
Vol. 36 No. 1, 2006
pp. 45-48
qEmerald Group Publishing Limited
0305-5728
DOI 10.1108/03055720610667363
To continue reading
Request your trial