Information Sharing and Emergency Services: An Examination Using Information Security Principles

This paper explores issues associated with information sharing with emergency services entities through the lens of information security, structuration theory and agency theory. Information sharing can result in moral hazard that needs to be addressed to facilitate information transfers needed during emergency services. Developing a solution to the moral hazard issue associated with information sharing in emergency service situations is a time sensitive issue that needs to be done prior to the needed sharing of information. This paper illustrates the challenges and opportunities that exist with respect to information sharing between users and providers of emergency services. Based on sound principles of agency theory and structuration theory, a framework to alleviate concerns and maximize information sharing utility is presented. The understanding afforded by the framework will assist both parties to in their efforts to effectively share and yet protect information that is vital to both emergency response and information owners.