In his famous "The Social Contract" (1762), Rousseau states that individuals have a right to privacy because it allows them to develop their own thoughts, beliefs, and values without interference from others. Pointing to what we know today from the article 12 of the humans rights declaration: privacy is fundamental to social life. The whole idea of the individual is built on freedom and privacy. Philosophically, privacy is the key to the proper development of ones own personality.

This is one of the strong arguments towards data privacy as an individual asset in contemporary societies where all dimensions of life are being digitalized, therefore, informational privacy is constantly in expositions in some level or another.

Cybersecurity, on the other hand, refers to the protection of computer systems and networks from unauthorized access, theft, and damage. Thus, cybersecurity is key to guarantee privacy as a right to keep personal activities and records confidential.

In addition to protecting personal information, cybersecurity can also help to protect privacy by ensuring that individuals have control over their data. This includes the ability to control who has access to their personal information, how it is used, and how long it is retained.

Nonetheless, there can also be trade-offs between cybersecurity and privacy, particularly when it comes to the collection and use of personal data for security purposes. For example, some security measures, such as surveillance, may be seen as an invasion of privacy. Therefore, it is important to strike a balance between cybersecurity and privacy to ensure that both are protected in an appropriate and balanced manner.

Effective governance of technology is essential for ensuring both cybersecurity and privacy measures being integrated into the design, development, and deployment of technology. This includes promoting cybersecurity best practices, providing guidance on the implementation of security measures, and enforcing compliance with cybersecurity standards and regulations. And also promoting privacy-by-design principles, providing guidance on the implementation of privacy measures, and enforcing compliance with privacy regulations and standards.

In addition, governance can also help to promote transparency and accountability in the use of technology. This includes ensuring that individuals and organizations are aware of their responsibilities for protecting personal information and that they are held accountable for any breaches of cybersecurity or privacy.

In this scenario, it would be a plus if a layer of data governance were also running concurrently. Being the data governance a subset of technology governance, on cases of privacy and cybersecurity it would be strongly beneficial to implement a governance structure comprising of both a technological focus and a data focus, both intertwined and pushing towards organizational goals, compliance and accountability.

The interconnection between data privacy, cybersecurity and governance (data and tech) can be seen in some recent initiatives from the public sector that may be interesting for the private sector to look up. Here are 5 successful cases:

Amsterdam's Smart City Strategy - Amsterdam's Smart City initiatives are designed with data privacy and cybersecurity in mind. The city takes a proactive approach to data governance, ensuring that data collected is used in compliance with applicable privacy regulations. Additionally, the city has implemented robust cybersecurity measures to protect against potential cyber attacks. The City of Barcelona's Digital City Strategy - This strategy aims to transform Barcelona into a smart and connected city through the use of technology governance best practices. The city has implemented a range of initiatives, including open data portals, smart transportation systems, and digital citizen engagement platforms, that have been successful in improving the quality of life for residents and visitors alike. The Singapore Smart Nation Initiative - The Smart Nation Initiative in Singapore recognizes the importance of data privacy and cybersecurity in the implementation of smart city initiatives. The city has implemented strict data governance policies and works closely with cybersecurity experts to ensure that all systems are secure and protected against cyber attacks. The City of Toronto's Digital Strategy - Toronto's Digital Strategy places a strong emphasis on data privacy and cybersecurity. The city has implemented robust cybersecurity measures to protect against potential cyber attacks and ensures that all data collected is used in compliance with applicable privacy regulations. The Seoul Smart City Initiative - The Seoul Smart City Initiative prioritizes data privacy and cybersecurity in all aspects of the city's digital strategy. The city has implemented strict data governance policies to protect citizen privacy and works closely with cybersecurity experts to ensure that all systems are secure and protected against potential cyber attacks.

There are several ways that businesses can learn from these public initiatives:

I. Prioritize data privacy and cybersecurity - Just like these public initiatives, businesses should prioritize data privacy and cybersecurity in all aspects of their operations. This includes implementing robust cybersecurity measures and ensuring that all data collected is used in compliance with applicable privacy regulations.

II. Implement strong data governance policies - Businesses can learn from these public initiatives by implementing strong data governance policies to protect against potential data breaches and misuse of data. This includes having clear policies in place for data collection, storage, and use.

III. Embrace new technologies - Public initiatives like Amsterdam's Smart City Strategy and Singapore's Smart Nation Initiative demonstrate how new technologies can be used to improve the delivery of services and enhance citizen engagement. Businesses can learn from these initiatives by embracing new technologies to drive innovation and improve customer experiences.

IV. Focus on sustainability - Many of these public initiatives place a strong emphasis on sustainability and the efficient use of resources. Businesses can learn from these initiatives by prioritizing sustainability in their operations and exploring ways to reduce their environmental impact.

V. Engage with stakeholders - Public initiatives like Barcelona's Digital City Strategy place a strong emphasis on citizen engagement and participation in decision-making processes. Businesses can learn from this approach by engaging with stakeholders and involving them in the development and implementation of new initiatives.

Considering its nuclear position on contemporary socioeconomical arrangements, privacy and cybersecurity is not an additional concern anymore, it is detrimental for organizations sustainability overlook this aspects nowadays. In this manner, looking for ways to build clear pathways and steering mechanisms is both a need and the solution for many situations related to technology and its rapid advancement. Therefore, business would benefit a lot from orienting its products and services by the light of technology governance if its struggling with privacy compliance and cybersecurity.