We have got with us today Anton Gerunov who is both blockchain and privacy speaker and offers a very interesting approach to both topics and at LibertyBits2019 he will try to “measure the immeasurable by putting numbers on privacy risks”.
Anton has a remarkable background. He is an expert in data analytics, personal data protection, risk management and business modeling with over 10 years of experience in the private and public sector. Anton has worked as an international business consultant and project manager for global multinationals. He has served as an advisor in the Council of Ministers and was heading project planning and implementation of the national e-Government initiatives. Additionally, he has been involved in the preparation of new legislation such as the Electronic Governance Act, the Electronic Identification Act and the Access to Public Information Act. Anton has also served as head of the National Open Data Initiative for the period 2014-2017. He holds a Ph.D. degree and is currently an Associate Professor of Risk Management at Sofia University. Anton is the author of over 30 articles in international and national peer-reviewed journals, three monographs, and has presented at number of conferences on the topics modeling, privacy, and analytics. At the moment he is the Chief Operations Officer at LogSentinel, a blockchain-based innovative IT company.
Who are you, please introduce yourself briefly?
I am responsible for imagining creative ways to solve business problems by a smart use of technology and process transformation so that data is protected and organizations gain, rather than lose, competitive advantage. I am serving as COO at LogSentinel, Chairman at the Institute for Data Ethics and Analytics, I teach Risk and Digital at Sofia University, and believe in changing the world by changing people (one at a time).
Why did you decide to join the speaker’s lineup of LibertyBits conference?
I was invited and saw it as an excellent opportunity to bring across a message of rational yet passionate approach to planning data-driven activities, products, and services.
What is your understanding of “liberty” (freedom) and what are the most underestimated threats to our modern society?
Liberty is the ability to say and do whatever one sees fit as long as no harm ensues to others in both the digital and the “real” world. Privacy is the right to be left alone. One is impossible without the other. Nowadays, we are mostly threatened by excessive surveillance used for pampering to our tastes and whims. The system is now so good that what we love will eventually harm us.
What would you say to everyone who thinks that keeping privacy is irrelevant for them because they have nothing to hide?
That hiding something is irrelevant – the ability to do so is what counts. Think whether you are willing to tell everything to everyone at any time, possibly harming people you care about. If not, privacy matters.
What is the easiest way to protect our privacy if we are not so tech-savvy people?
Revoke all permissions on you apps, devices, and web pages you visit.
What are your expectations from the conference?
As a fun gathering of like-minded people that one can share ideas with.
Thanks a lot, Anton! It was a pleasure talking to you. We could not agree more with you about the threats to privacy and freedom. You nailed it: “The system is now so good that what we love will eventually harm us”. Join us at #Libertybits2019 to find out why this is not necessarily a verdict and how we can turn things around.
Take the chance and reserve your seat A.S.A.P. for the second edition of LibertyBits Conference here: