Protecting Personal Diversity Data during Reporting and Analysis

Mar 08, 2023

POD features a protective mechanism to avoid accidental disclosure of sensitive personal data. It is called small-group masking.

What is the risk?

When a group is too small, it is easier to infer who the data refers to. This could result in accidental identification of an individual and their diversity trait. Most POD users won’t be authorised to see personal data at an individual level, only aggregated data.

What does small-group masking look like in POD?

When a total headcount is too low, the number will be hidden and represented by <k.

What determines the minimum threshold, k?

When Pirical on Demand is set up for your firm, you can choose a minimum threshold. Most firms choose a minimum of 3. If <k appears, it means that the number of people is less than the agreed threshold.

For example, if it is decided that k=4 then any number less than 4 will be hidden.

What if <k shows as the total?

If <k appears in the total column it is because a headcount, <k, is a part of that total. If the total was revealed, then the value of <k could be determined.

Does this apply to all diversity traits?

Small-group masking is applied to all diversity traits in POD.

What if a screen I want to see is k-masked? Is there a way around it?

An admin on your account may be able to authorise a special cut of the data. Please discuss with your POD account manager.

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