Challenges of Applying Privacy Enhancing Technologies in Business

This research article presents a comprehensive meta-analysis of organizational perceptions regarding Privacy Enhancing Technologies (PETs) in business contexts. It identifies significant gaps between the technical capabilities of PETs, such as homomorphic encryption and differential privacy, and the perceptions held by organizations, which can lead to misconfigurations and undermine cybersecurity effectiveness. The study systematically reviews 34 empirical studies to assess motivations for PET adoption and the challenges organizations face, including complexity management and insufficient understanding of these technologies. Findings indicate that while regulatory pressures and reputational considerations drive the adoption of PETs, organizations often struggle with practical implementation issues. The article emphasizes the need for improved education, regular reassessments of beliefs regarding PETs, and transparency mechanisms to align organizational perceptions with actual technological capabilities. This research contributes to a better understanding of the interplay between organizational decision-making and the technical realities of PETs, ultimately aiming to enhance enterprise cybersecurity.