#Canada #Ottawa #privacy technology #EviData #Woodway Assurance

Woodway Assurance Launches EviData

Woodway Assurance, a pioneering Canadian privacy technology company, recently introduced its flagship product, EviData™. This innovative enterprise software solution is designed to provide automated, independent third-party assessments that verify datasets against established privacy standards, all while maintaining the utility of the data. The advent of EviData signals a significant advancement in privacy assurance practices, especially for organizations that handle sensitive information across services such as healthcare and finance.

The Need for Effective Privacy Solutions

As organizations worldwide navigate the complexities of data management, the requirement for robust privacy solutions becomes more pressing. EviData addresses this need by offering a comprehensive assessment of de-identified and synthetic datasets. It produces clear reports that demonstrate the extent of re-identification risk associated with datasets, ensuring that organizations can share and analyze personal information responsibly. This product is particularly beneficial for hospitals, banks, research institutions, and insurers—entities that must demonstrate accountability and transparency in their use of data.

Dr. Khaled El Emam, the founder and CEO of Woodway Assurance, emphasizes the critical importance of trustworthy data, stating, "Today’s world runs on data, but organizations can’t innovate if they don’t trust it." EviData empowers organizations to obtain independent validation of their data processing practices, aligning with both their oversight partners and regulators' expectations.

Features and Functionality of EviData

EviData is available via subscription and runs within the client’s secure environment. Users can upload their datasets—whether de-identified, anonymized, or synthetic—and generate risk assessment reports seamlessly. The resulting assessments provide an auditable demonstration of whether datasets meet essential privacy and quality thresholds, confirming whether they can be shared as non-personal information.

An impressive aspect of EviData is its efficiency. Tasks that traditionally required extensive manual input from external consultants can now be completed in a matter of minutes by the end-user, thanks to the automation enabled by AI technology. This not only expedites the assessment process but also lowers the required expertise level for conducting such assessments, thereby encouraging broader adoption of data-driven innovations across industries.

Democratizing Risk Assessments

The design principle behind EviData was grounded in simplicity. Dr. El Emam notes the importance of making reliable results accessible to all data producers and consumers within organizations. By simplifying the risk assessment process, EviData ensures that valuable privacy assessments are available to those who need them, irrespective of technical proficiency. This democratization of risk assessments is set to reshape how organizations approach data privacy compliance.

A Focus on Best Practices

EviData was developed as a solution rooted in decades of research and real-world applications of privacy-enhancing technologies. As a spin-off from the CHEO Research Institute and the University of Ottawa, Woodway Assurance stands at the forefront of privacy technology, leveraging Canadian innovation to influence global standards. The tool aligns with the latest guidance from the Ontario Information and Privacy Commissioner and adheres to relevant ISO de-identification standards. Organizations that prioritize best practices in data management will find EviData an indispensable resource for achieving compliance and demonstrating their commitment to responsible data usage.

As organizations increasingly prioritize data protection amid growing regulatory scrutiny and stakeholder demand for accountability, EviData offers a compelling solution that empowers businesses to manage their data privacy obligations effectively and efficiently. It is set to lead the way in reshaping the landscape of privacy assurance in the digital age.