IBM has patented the design for a data privacy engine that can efficientlyhelp businesses protect personal data as it is transferred between countries, including across private clouds. IBM's new patented Data Privacy Engine invention – U.S. Patent #8,695,101 – lets businesses aggregate international and organizational requirements for data transfers and apply them to individual projects. As a result, organizations can quickly see what restrictions have been put in place for different types of protected information when transferring it between two countries, including data stored in a private cloud. The engine also flags cross-border privacy issues and provides recommendations on how to resolve each based on the information the business has input into the engine. In the event underlying privacy requirements change, the engine can be updated to reflect these rules. Users can then notify teams that previously approved transfers may need to be revisited in order to prevent potential violations.

For example, a company working on a project that requires transferring employee data via the cloud from a branch in one country to an office in another could use IBM’s patented data privacy engine to identify potential violations. The company’s compliance team could then be provided with all relevant details so that it can help the business make sure it is taking appropriate action.