What is a data protection officer

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DPO at work

What is a Data Protection Officer?

So what is a Data Protection Officer?  What do they actually do?  We at Trusted Compliance Solutions are often asked this as GDPR Consultants.

Depending on your organisation you may need to appoint a DPO.  If you are unsure the ICO has lots of useful information: https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/does-my-organisation-need-a-data-protection-officer-dpo/

A data protection officer is responsible for the data protection in an organisation.  They would deal with:

  1. Reviewing processes
  2. Implementing data protection policies that help organisations on their compliance journey
  3. Complete data flows and identify risks
  4. Complete data subject access requests
  5. Deal with breaches, reporting them if necessary and taking steps to ensure they do not happen again
  6. Training staff within an organisation to make them include data by design into their processes
  7. To ensure that data collected corresponds with Articles 5 and 6 of the GDPR – we will do another blog on this as its very important
  8. Liaising with the ICO as necessary
  9. Monitoring compliance

This can be an individual that has another role or this is purely what they do.  They do need to make sure that  their additional roles if they have any,do not cause any conflicts of interest.  However, they need to have a good understanding of data protection legislation and know how the organisation works. This is a very important role and needs to report into board level.

Let’s just get on with it shall we?

It is a role that has mixed emotions for all. A poison chalice for some and is often met with rolled eyes in some departments.  Its necessary and important so we just need to get our big boy and girl pants on and get on with it.  Its not as if we can’t be compliant.

If you are unsure about any aspects of the role of a data protection officer do get in touch.  We are experienced GDPR Consultants, who work in Buckinghamshire and the surrounding areas.

We provide practical solutions to help you on your data compliance journey and help you avoid fines and a loss of trust.  Do get in touch:

https://trustedcompliancesolutions.co.uk/contact