Since the implementation of GDPR, it’s apparent that many organisations are still yet to achieve compliance. With the many misconceptions surrounding the GDPR, it was assumed that compliance must be achieved more or less overnight. However, this isn’t the case – the process is ongoing and requires organisations to re-examine their processes across departments and territories to ensure they are not breaking any regulatory European data protection requirements set out by the GDPR.
In addition, It is now also a requirement for some organisations to appoint a Data Protection Officer (DPO).
What is a DPO’s role?
A Data Protection Officer, or DPO, is an expert in European data protection and can help guide an organisation through the process to achieve GDPR compliance through the following activity:
- Advising organisations on how to achieve and maintain compliance
- Monitoring compliance and assist in training and raising awareness of good practice
- Carrying out and facilitating audits
- Acting as intermediaries between relevant stakeholders
- Acting as the immediate point of contact with the supervisory authority in the case of a breach, audit or any issues relating to GDPR
Do all organisations need to appoint a DPO?
Article 37 of the GDPR specifies a long list of organisations that must appoint DPOs, in fact, DPOs are mandatory in 3 cases:
- Public Authorities – the processing is carried out by a public authority or body (except for courts acting in their judicial capacity).
- Large systematic monitoring of individuals – the core activities of the controller or processor consists of processing operations which, by virtue of their nature, their scope and/or their purposes, require regular and systematic monitoring of data subjects on a large scale.
- Processing large scale special data categories – the core activities of the controller or the processor consist of the processing, on a large scale, special categories of data and personal data relating to criminal convictions and offences.
Although this may justify many organisations not to consider appointing a DPO, the ICO and the European Union equivalent governing bodies will regard a registered DPO as a good business practice. Furthermore, an organisation without a DPO will find it harder to meet GDPR regulations going forward without the right guidance and skillset as the organisational obligations for data protection remain the same.
Data Protection Officer as a Service DPOaaS
Falanx Cyber’s DPOaaS offers your organisation a range of advisory and consultancy services in which we will advise on how you can prepare, plan and implement strategies for GDPR or DPO requirements.
Our DPO will assist your organisation internally on all matters relating to privacy and data protection as well as GDPR compliance. The DPO will take over privacy and data protection tasks, staff training, and can serve as an independent expert both internally as well as towards customers or the Data Protection Authorities.
Interested in finding out how a DPO could benefit your organisation? Get in touch with our team to arrange a free assessment of your organisation and establish which aspects of our services can help you most.
