Latest action from Data Protection Commissioner highlights value of Planning for Protection
The announcement today that the Data Protection Commissioner has written to three VECs to address concerns regarding the handling of personal data serves to emphasise the need for Data Controllers to ensure they are planning for protection and thinking ahead as to how their information assets will be shared, disclosed, secured and protected. This is not a technology solution, but requires Data Controllers to ensure they plan properly and execute those plans consistently.
"It is essential that Data Controllers invest time in planning what information they will need to achieve their goals. These plans need to address the 'what', 'why, 'how' and 'who' of what information needs to be captured, why it is needed, how it will be used and kept secure and who will have access to it", says Daragh O Brien, a leading Information Management consultant and founder of Castlebridge Associates.
"It is clear from the VEC examples today that the execution of this plan needs to be consistent, right down to the wording that is being used in forms and the policies that are put in place to manage the information once it has been captured", he adds.
Daragh goes on to say that the other important lesson from today's headlines is that even if your organisation is not intending to share data in a manner which would be inappropriate, if your front-end processes, staff, or forms give the impression that you might you equally face damage to your reputation by being the subject of a news headline.
"The carpenter's rule of 'Measure Twice, Cut Once' is a good guide for Data Protection Planning and how to avoid embarrassment or penalties arising from careless management of personal information".
About Castlebridge Associates
Castlebridge Associates is one of Ireland's leading specialist Information Management consultancies providing a range of services in the areas of Data Protection, Information Strategy, Information Quality, and Data Governance.
Amongst other services, we provide coaching, bespoke training, mentoring and consultancy services for Data Protection, focusing on the practical application of the 8 Principles and how they can enable business success and trust.
Organisations looking to improve their internal skills and awareness in these increasingly important areas should contact Castlebridge Associates to learn more about how we can help you maximise the benefits from the information that fuels your business: http://castlebridge-associates.com/forms/contact-us
Data Protection BootCamp in Athlone 29th July - see http://eventelephant.com/dataprotectionbasicsbootcamp for details!
Castlebridge Associates' founder Daragh O Brien is a noted figure in the field of Information Asset Management world wide with a number of articles and publications to his name.
Contact us at http://castlebridge-associates.com, twitter.com/cbridgeinfo or phone +353 539100049
About Daragh O Brien
Prior to founding Castlebridge Associates, Daragh O Brien lead a Compliance team in a leading Irish telecommunications firm. Prior to that he held strategic and operational responsibility for Single View of Customer strategy and execution. In each role he was a Champion and evangalist for the value high quality information through well defined and controlled processes.
He is a Fellow of the Irish Computer Society, a Founder member of the International Association for Information & Data Quality and a tutor on the Irish Computer Society's Data Protection Certificate. He co-founded and leads the ICS Information Quality Network.
He has been a keynote speaker, Chairman, and Panel participant at Information Quality and Data Governance conferences in Ireland, UK, Europe, North America, and Australia