MAPPRIVATE

MAPPRIVATE is a term used in geographic information systems (GIS) and digital cartography to describe mechanisms and policies for protecting private map data from unauthorized access. It encompasses data classification, access control, encryption, and auditing to control who can view, modify, or distribute map layers and related attributes.

Purpose and scope: MAPPRIVATE aims to enable organizations to share publicly useful geospatial information while keeping sensitive layers restricted to authorized users. It covers both data at rest (stored maps, tiles, and vector layers) and data in transit (map requests and tile delivery).

Technical overview: Implementation typically includes access control policies (roles and permissions), authentication and authorization, encrypted storage and transport, and an activity log. A policy engine can determine whether a user request should return the requested layer. Privacy-preserving techniques may be applied, such as data minimization or redaction, before public dissemination.

Features: private data stores, secure tile servers, policy enforcement points, audit trails, revocation mechanisms, and support for granular rights (view, edit, share) at the layer or feature level. Interoperability with common GIS platforms is often a design goal.

Applications: government GIS, enterprise asset management, urban planning, environmental monitoring, and collaborative projects where internal data must remain confidential. MAPPRIVATE can be deployed in cloud, on-premises, or hybrid environments and may support token-based access and time-limited licenses.

Limitations: implementing MAPPRIVATE adds complexity and may impact performance, requires robust key management, and imposes governance and compliance burdens. Ongoing policy maintenance is necessary to reflect changing roles and data classifications.

See also: privacy-preserving GIS, access control, data encryption, differential privacy, GIS security.