Businesses need to put privacy and data protection back on the agenda as a priority

2 years ago

The latest Data Protection Index results out today reveal that Data Protection Officers (DPOs) confidence in their organisation’s data protection compliance has fallen again for the second quarter in a row.

Only half (51%) of privacy experts score their organisation’s data protection compliance highly 1 This increased pessimism is also reflected in several of other responses. When asked about the level of precedence given to data protection by the DPO’s own organisation (compared with other organisational priorities), only a third (33%) rated 8 or above (10 being highest precedence) down from 40 per cent in June 2021.

Furthermore, with just over a third (37%) of respondents giving The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) a score of 8 or more out of 10 when asked to rate their confidence and the regulator’s effectiveness, 10 being extremely effective.

Data retention remains the leading issue for privacy and data protection experts with nearly a third (31%) of the respondents citing this as the leading issue. The second biggest issue has consistently been accountability and demonstrating compliance, with a fifth (22%) of respondents rating this the biggest problem they face in their organisation.

Rob Masson, CEO, The DPO Centre, “The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport’s recent consultation on the proposed changes to the UK’s data protection regulations needs to ensure that companies continue to protect client and employee data, therefore enabling the UK to remain a world leader in privacy and personal data management. “

“It is concerning that so many data protection professionals believe their organisation’s data protection compliance and data retention procedures are behind where they should be. UK businesses especially are juggling many plates when dealing with the consequences of Covid and Brexit and it appears that currently the focus is elsewhere.”

The results of the DP Index indicate that going forward data protection experts increasingly expect the UK to strike its own agreement with the US to allow for the free flow of personal data between the countries within the next three years. Asked to score the likelihood on a scale from one to ten, this quarter, DPOs gave a higher average score of 7.2, up from 6.54 in June.

Notes to Editors

The full report of the latest UK Data Protection Index survey is available at
https://www.dpocentre.com/resources/uk-data-protection-index/

Notes to Editors
The DPO Centre is the UK’s leading independent data protection officer resource centre, offering expert advice and ensuring organisations have access to the level of knowledge and expertise they require to comply with the highest standards of privacy and data protection.
Follow The DPO Centre on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/dpo-centre/
For an interview with CEO, Rob Masson contact Louise Ahuja la@dpocentre.com

Survey details
465 Data protection specialists were interviewed in September 2021.
1 March 2021 saw 59% give a score of 8 or more, this declined to 56% in June and now sits at 51% for September 2021.

Attached Media

About The DPO Centre

Founded in 2017 by Rob Masson, The DPO Centre is the UK’s leading independent data protection resource centre, offering expert advice and ensuring organisations have access to the level of knowledge and expertise they require to comply with the highest standards of privacy and data protection.  Follow the DPO Centre on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/dpo-centre/ The DPO Centre’s services include: • Providing outsourced Data Protection Officers on a ‘fractional’ basis (so 1 to 8 days per month) that become integral and trusted members of the client’s team • Interim and overflow resources to support and extend existing compliance teams • EU and UK representation as required by Article 27 of the GDPR • and a full range of privacy and data protection consultancy and training services to companies across all sectors in the UK.