Case Study

Enterprise University (EU) is a wholly online university and has a student population over 80,000 and staff members numbering over 5,500. The university's primary business activities include educating the student population and conducting research activities. As part of business activities, EU uses dozens of IT systems. For instance,'eCloud' for teaching & learning online activities for students and the'EU People'system for staff payroll management and other human resource activities relating to staff. All systems collect fine grain clickstream data on its users. Most of the data collected would have privacy implications if disclosed. EU University does not use big data systems at present. Management is considering integrating a Big Data system into the organisation to facilitate and inform better decision making. Management is brainstorming benefits that might emerge as well as any information security risks that might be introduced in the process.

Identify two significant issues to do with student consent or data privacy that has emerged in the Big Data era. Explain the two issues in the context of the scenario above.