What is a Data Protection Officer?
A Data Protection Officer provides an essential interface between the business, the regulation and its own privacy programme. Progressive companies know that their customers and employees value organisations that protect their information. This is becoming an area to add value and differentiate yourselves from your competition.
A DPO need not be a full-time role, and for most organisations outsourcing to a company that has the resources across multiple disciplines makes sense. UKGDPR has DPOs with experience at some of the UK’s largest companies and can bring cyber security, IT, and compliance experience to the job.
What Does a Data Protection Officer Do?
Such data protection officers, whether or not they are an employee of the controller, should be in a position to perform their duties and tasks in an independent manner. (recital 97)
The DPO is required to have an independent voice directly to the board, but they will typically work on a daily basis with legal, IT and compliance departments, helping to steer policy and offering advice. Enough resources should be made available for actual execution of the compliance strategy as the role is primarily one of advice and guidance.
Your DPO will run your internal privacy program, and be available to advise you on all matters relating to the regulation, as well as best practices for cross department processing of personal data. They are a crucial resource in keeping the business compliant, as well as a main actor in assisting with data breach management.
Who Needs a Data Protection Officer?
The GDPR introduces a duty for you to appoint a data protection officer (DPO) if you are a public authority or body, or if you carry out certain types of processing activities. (ICO)
If you carry out processing of special categories of personal data on a large scale, then you will certainly need to appoint a DPO. If your business systematically monitors data subjects on a large scale, then you'll also be required to appoint a DPO.
If you're uncertain, contact us for a no-obligation discussion on your business.
Creating a Privacy Programme
The DPO will oversee the creation and running of an internal Privacy Programme if one does not already exist. It is their responsibility to ensure the organisation as a whole has the tools and resources they need to carry out processing of personal data in way that is secure and lawful.
DPM Instead of DPO?
Some companies want the functional service of a DPO, but don't have the legal requirement. For some, the approach of a Data Protection Manager (DPM) makes a lot of sense.
How We Can Help
We can assist your company in determining whether a DPO or a DPM role is appropriate, establish realistic goals, and supply qualified experienced staff to carry out the plans. You can appoint the legal entity UKGDPR Limited as your DPO, and take advantage of multiple skill sets and never-away availability.
Use the contact Us button below and mention DPO. We can schedule a no-pressure call to discuss your needs and see how we might help.
