Top 3 data protection program issues and how to start resolving them: #22

Data protection professionals often fear audits.

So do top management.

If you fully understand ‘accountability’ and can demonstrate it, you should have nothing to fear.

Audits are opportunities to detect weaknesses, identify things that are amiss, or get confirmation you are in control of your processing

It could be your internal audit team.

It could be a client.

It could be a Supervisory Authority.

It could be planned or unplanned.

Here are 3 common issues.

#1 Not understanding accountability

In our 9th post, I outlined the need to prove accountability through evidence.

GDPR is loaded with opportunities to demonstrate you understand what this word means.

Rather than repeat the post, refresh your memory.

#2 People are unprepared

An ‘Inspection Manual’ is an essential part of any data protection programme.

The audience for this document is quite small, so it’s one of the easier programme deliverables to implement.

It’s about recognising *who* will be involved when, say, a Supervisory Authority pays you a visit.

It’s about having a designated ‘Inspection Lead,’ and training your reception staff how to act. (among other things).

It’s about knowing the rights of an SA, what to say, and what not to say.

Without a manual there's a risk people will act like headless chickens.

Do you have one?

#3 Incoherent story

If you’ve taken a risk-based approach, you need to provide justification for the decisions you have taken.

For example, the rationale for accepting a risk.

The decision may have, in hindsight, been the wrong decision, but if you can explain the decision *through evidence*, it will only help your cause if it resulted in a privacy violation.

For example, a time-stamped entry in your risk register, rather than having to think for an answer.

Let the evidence do the talking.

You are on the back-foot the minute you tell an incoherent story from memory, especially if there are discrepancies.

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Purpose and Means help Data Protection Leaders refresh their work focusing on business alignment and orchestration.

We’re based in Denmark, but operate globally.

If this issue resonates, book a call to discuss your requirements!