Updated 07/14/2025
What would you do if you received a data set that included social security numbers or other sensitive personal information? Would you notify someone? Would you delete the data? These questions demonstrate some ethical issues you might face when dealing with consumer or business data.
As one of the critical program takeaways of the online Master of Science in Business Intelligence and Data Analytics (M.S. BIDA) from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, our curriculum will provide you with decision-making and data-handling best practices of the highest standard for good business ethics.
Navigate Sensitive Data
It seems there’s a new data-related scandal every week. In fact, data breaches in the first four months of 2025 alone impacted millions of people.1 Recognizing the scale of this challenge, Saint Mary’s University designed the M.S. BIDA coursework to examine the legal and ethical impact of real-world business ethics cases involving data. The topics we explore include:
- Consumer privacy and data protection
- Employee records
- General treatment of sensitive data
- Fiduciary responsibility for data
Make a significant impact on your industry
Become a leader in your field and make a significant impact with an online Master of Science in Business Intelligence and Data Analytics from Saint Mary’s University.
This program prepares you for positions in which you must act as a line of defense against improper use of consumer and business data. You’ll graduate with the in-depth knowledge and comprehensive skills to identify potential issues and take corrective action to ensure the safety and security of this data.
What Makes Data Protection and Privacy So Important?
It’s common for organizations to house sensitive customer information, such as addresses, dates of birth, and demographics. By sharing their data with organizations, customers extend a level of trust that their information will be stored securely and protected from external threats. However, doing the bare minimum is insufficient, as 90 percent of consumers feel that technology companies should take more steps to uphold data privacy.2
Of course, as organizations amass more and more data, protecting it can be daunting. After all, threats from cyber-attacks and other vulnerabilities put sensitive company information at risk. Based on this, nearly half of business executives have identified data protection among their chief investments for cybersecurity.3
Harnessing AI in Data Privacy Protection Strategies
The proliferation of artificial intelligence in business raises the need for advanced data protection methods. For instance, at some businesses, “sensitive information is collected and used to create and fine-tune AI and machine learning systems,” according to IBM.4 This unbridled use of consumer data raises the stakes for business technology professionals to consider the impact of AI on data privacy and minimize the risk that consumer information is jeopardized or improperly shared.
One way for business intelligence and data analytics professionals to protect data in the age of AI is to use anonymized data. As explored in a Forbes article, anonymized data involves “classifying, encrypting, redacting or replacing sensitive identifiers within the data.” In simple terms, this process ensures sensitive information is hidden from AI tools and the people using them, upholding data privacy while organizations explore the benefits of chatbots and other AI tools.5
Saint Mary’s University provides opportunities to build AI expertise by offering an Artificial Intelligence Certificate within the M.S. in BIDA program. This option enables you to explore the fundamentals of AI, deep learning methodology, and other concepts needed to harness this technology responsibly and effectively.
Do the Right Thing With Data
Countless stakeholders can be negatively affected by improper use of data. Our legal and moral responsibility is to handle consumer, employee, vendor, financial, and all other business data ethically. By pursuing your Master of Science in Business Intelligence and Data Analytics, you can make the best decisions for your organization and stakeholders.
Are you ready to take the next step in your career? Learn more about the Master of Science in Business Intelligence and Data Analytics, or explore our other critical program takeaways for this program.
Sources
- Drapkin, A. Tech.co. “Data Breaches That Have Happened in 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 So Far.” May 16, 2025. Retrieved May 23, 2025, from https://tech.co/news/data-breaches-updated-list.
- PWC. “What’s important to the CISO in 2025.” n.d. Retrieved May 23, 2025, from https://www.pwc.com/us/en/executive-leadership-hub/ciso.html.
- Deloitte. “New Deloitte Survey: Increasing Consumer Privacy and Security Concerns in the Generative AI Era.” December 3, 2024. Retrieved May 23, 2025, from https://www.deloitte.com/us/en/about/press-room/increasing-consumer-privacy-and-security-concerns-in-the-generative-ai-era.html.
- Gomstyn, A., and Jonker, A. IBM. “Exploring privacy issues in the age of AI.” September 30, 2024. Retrieved May 23, 2025, from https://www.ibm.com/think/insights/ai-privacy.
- Nathaniel, S. Forbes. “Anonymizing Data For AI Success: Safeguarding Privacy Without Losing Value.” May 13, 2025. Retrieved May 23, 2025, from https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbestechcouncil/2025/05/13/anonymizing-data-for-ai-success-safeguarding-privacy-without-losing-value/.
