We live in an increasingly tech-led and integrated world, with meetings and global conferences increasingly held online.
However, holding an online conference across multiple countries can be a complex and challenging endeavour, and one that introduces numerous risks including data protection, national laws and regulations and cybertheft.
But what are the key considerations when organising your global conference? Here are some ideas to keep in mind.
Data Privacy
There are numerous data privacy laws across the globe, with the GDPR regulatory framework the most relevant when hosting conferences in the UK and EU.
There are three core principles to data protection and this type of regulation; namely confidentiality (with regards to how the data is retrieved and by who), integrity (how it’s stored) and availability (ensuring accessibility to authorised operators and stakeholders whenever needed).
These principles underline your responsibilities with regards to data privacy, as any information pertaining to conference attendees must be handled safely, including their names, email address and payment information.
The Impact Of International Laws And Guidelines
This brings us neatly onto the topic of international laws and guidelines, which are especially important when hosting a conference that crosses different international borders.
For example, in instances where attendees are streaming from multiple locations, it’s crucial that you comply with the laws in the relevant jurisdictions.
For example, if you’re conference is attended by UK residents (for now) or those in EU member states, you’ll need to comply with the aforementioned GDPR legislation and its seven core principles.
If you’re unsure of how to comply with various international laws, you may want to liaise with a data protection legal expert who can provide actionable advice and insight.
The Importance Of Network Security
Network security is also key here, as high volumes of people may choose to log in to your conference at any given time. Because of this, you’ll need to create an online infrastructure and server network that can handle the increased traffic, without compromising on security or the integrity of the connection.
It’s therefore crucial that you identify any potential vulnerabilities in your network before the event, while also using advanced data encryption and ensuring that each attendee is given secure (and bespoke) login credentials as soon as possible.
By securing and encrypting your network, you can protect against an array of threats, including Denial of Service (DoS) attacks that could disrupt proceedings and lead to a significant period of downtime.
Such measures can also ensure that your network and individual attendees aren’t vulnerable to hacking and cyber-attacks, which are designed to compromise sensitive data and the personal information pertaining to your attendees. Hackers have the potential to disrupt any online conference if it isn’t properly secured, so this is a key consideration if you’re to protect your event and individual participants
