A free guide to protecting online identity by anonymising data has been published by a team including a member of Southampton’s Web and Internet Science Group (WAIS).

Dr Kieron O’Hara, Associate Professor and Principal Research Fellow in Electronics and Computer Science (ECS) at the University of Southampton, worked with colleagues from the University of Manchester and the Office for National Statistics (ONS), to produce the publication that advises data controllers how they can share data safely while minimising the risk of revealing the identities of people included in the dataset.

The Anonymisation Decision-Making Framework (ADF) helps ensure people are not identifiable from shared datasets being pieced together.

In the wrong circumstances almost any piece of information can serve to help identify an individual, building a picture of them bit by bit by so-called ‘jigsaw identification’. In the past badly anonymised datasets have resulted in inappropriate releases of personal data and many data controllers are concerned about their liability in the event of a data breach. However, this fear could be detrimental to their data’s potential value if they become averse to sharing it for the public good.

The ADF aims to ensure that the risk of identifying people from anonymised data can be reduced to an acceptably low level, while retaining the data's usability.

For the past three years Kieron has worked with Mark Elliot and Elaine Mackey, from the University of Manchester, and Caroline Tudor, formerly of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), to develop the framework, and they have worked with many experts and practitioners in an innovative engagement exercise to ensure it is an effective, functional tool.

Published by the UK Anonymisation Network (UKAN), the book can be downloaded for free and unifies the technical and legal aspects of anonymisation in 10 important activities to be considered by the data controller.

UKAN was set up in 2012 with seed funding from the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) – the UK regulatory body for data protection. It involves the universities of Southampton and Manchester, the ONS and the Open Data Institute.

The incoming Information Commissioner Elizabeth Denham has contributed a Foreword, in which she recognises “the continued importance of this field of informatics to the fulfilment of the ICO’s mission.â€?

To download the free book visit ukanon.net/ukan-resources/ukan-decision-making-framework

The University of Southampton will showcase its world-leading aerospace research and expertise at Farnborough International Airshow (FI16) this week (Monday 11 to Sunday 17 July).

Based in the Innovation Zone (Hall 3, Stand 28), the University will focus on three main themes: autonomy, sensors and cyber security - interdisciplinary research areas involving academics and researchers from Electronics and Computer Science (ECS). It will promote its strategic research groups for Autonomous Systems and MENSUS (Monitoring of Engineered and Natural Systems Using Sensors) and cyber and security capabilities, including the recently established Cyber Security Academy. Other technology being demonstrated throughout the week includes optical sensors for fuel level monitoring, structural sensing kit to detect and analyse movement (in wings, for example) and remote sensing/diagnostic experiments with Boeing.

A new and exciting initiative this year is the University’s inclusion in the Farnborough flying displays where a Southampton Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) will beam live photography onto TV screens across the exhibition halls.

Chris Lord, from Research & Innovation Services at the University of Southampton, said: “Aerospace is a hugely important area for Southampton and we plan to showcase our extensive research at this important event. The Airshow provides considerable opportunities to strengthen our industry relationships and present our expertise to the thousands of attendees.â€?

One of the key activities for the University, is the opportunity to take part in Futures Day (Friday 15 July), when the event opens its doors to over 5,000 younger people. The day allows them to see the career opportunities available in the Aerospace and Defence sectors, and participate in a variety of expert talks, educational activities, competitions and group work, all designed to raise awareness of related industries and careers.

The Southampton exhibition will feature degree courses from ECS and allow students to experience some of its exciting areas of research and to take part in a hands-on activity on how safety systems work in planes. ECS' exciting new Aerospace Electronic Engineering degree will be presented at Farnborough, providing considerable exposure to this new course, both for industry and students. Visitors will also have the opportunity to discover ECS' undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in Cyber Security.