Data Protection Day 2026 as your strategic launchpad

Data Protection Day, observed annually on 28 January, often triggers a flurry of activity in companies across the world. Instead of viewing it as a one-off, why not reframe it as your strategic launchpad for your data protection agenda for 2026? It's a huge opportunity for data protection leaders to set out their stall to establish, or maintain, a broader data protection mindset that resonates across your company.

For many data protection leaders, 28 January is a date in the calendar when they do "something" every year. What I have seen over the years, is there are some forward-thinking leaders that understand that a single day barely scratches the surface. We're already seeing a trend where companies use the entire week surrounding 28 January, and some even dedicating the full month of January to immersive data protection engagement. This extended period is typically part of a broader data protection strategy and is way beyond just ticking a compliance box.

Your partner in strategic engagement

At Purpose and Means, we believe that effective data protection education and awareness is much more than baking cakes and circulating flyers. It's got to be engaging, relevant, and far from dry. We specialise in challenging conventional approaches, which is why November, December and January are often our busiest months, helping our clients plan and prepare their events.

Our knowledge and experience extends beyond delivering content. We partner with you to:

• Develop an appropriate theme: Moving beyond generic "compliance" to a theme that will resonate and align with your company culture and business goals

• Select topics that will create interest and impact: Identifying the most critical areas for your company, from basic awareness to role-specific challenges.

• Source speakers for live presentations: Bringing in experts who can grab your employees' attention inform, ensuring your message is not just heard, but internalised.

• Create bespoke content: Our content development goes far beyond standard presentations.

Tailored content for targeted impact

Our content is not just a re-hash of last year's material that you may have used:

• Company-wide data protection awareness: Engaging your workforce with relevant and up-to-date insights presented in a highly visual and interactive manner that sticks. Forget the yawn-inducing bullet points - think interactive modules, gamification, and scenario-based training that makes data protection relevant to everyone's daily work. At past events we've occasionally maxed out MS Teams capacity with 1.000+ participants.

• Contextual, role-based education: Digital marketers need to understand data protection by design and by default in campaigns, not just GDPR articles. HR professionals require specific guidance on employee data processing, far beyond generic policy statements. IT teams need to dive deep into security controls and data lifecycle management, grounded in practical application. We develop tailored education programmes for departments like HR, Digital Marketing, IT, Product Development, Vendor Management, Legal, Finance and Sales (to name some examples), ensuring the education is directly applicable to their functions.

• Workshops with your data protection team: This is where internal expertise is tapped into. We facilitate rapid analysis workshops designed to flush out hidden issues, identify critical gaps in your current data protection ways of working, and collaboratively build an action plan for the rest of 2026. These aren't just brainstorming sessions; they are strategic planning initiatives leading to tangible outcomes.

The time to act is now

Data Protection Day 2026, and the strategic month of January, is just around the corner. Our calendar for January is slowly filling up with forward-thinking companies keen to kick off their year with purpose. Don't let this opportunity to set a powerful and engaging data protection agenda for 2026 slip away.

Book a call with Purpose and Means to discuss your needs. Let's start planning now!