Securing Confidence With Data Escrow

Abstract

In the past several years, the general public has had concerns about hacking and identity theft. Headlines in news media include computer system breaches at popular and respected companies like Target and universities like The University of California at Berkeley.

This paper explores options available for providing the general public with the benefits of the information age while mitigating against the security risks. We begin with a discussion of it is reasonable for the general public to expect organizations engaged primarily in commerce to provide for their cybersecurity. We then look at how electronic transactions are currently secured. We conclude with a consideration of the “protocols” or “institutions” that might provide for security for consumers.