By prioritising data governance and risk management, public sector organisations can demonstrate their commitment to data privacy, build trust with data subjects, and ensure the proper handling and protection of sensitive information.
By Amritesh Anand, vice-president and MD: Technology Services Group at In2IT Technologies
This holistic approach is crucial for navigating the regulatory landscape and maintaining compliance in the public sector. In essence, the importance of governance and risk management when handling personal or sensitive data cannot be overstated.
As such, I would strongly recommend that government recognises that any data belonging to individuals needs to be handled with utmost care and responsibility. This is where robust governance and risk management practices come into play.
When collecting data from individuals, it is crucial to inform them about how their data will be handled and used. At the same time, public sector organisations must classify data based on its sensitivity, such as collecting only basic contact information versus more critical personal details. There must be an understanding of the different levels of data sensitivity and the application of appropriate controls.
It is also highly recommended that government entities establish clear policies that govern the use of the collected data, including whether it will be resold or shared with third parties. This is key to ensuring transparency and obtaining consent from data subjects on how their data will be used.
Aligned with regulations
Of course, data handling practices should be aligned with relevant regulations, such as the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) in South Africa. This will ensure compliance and avoid potential fines or legal consequences for mishandling personal data.
By adhering to the relevant regulatory frameworks and implementing comprehensive security controls, government entities can demonstrate their commitment to data protection and compliance. This multi-layered approach is crucial for safeguarding citizen data and maintaining public trust in the government’s data handling practices.
In terms of comprehensive security measures, we know that simply having a firewall is not sufficient in today’s threat landscape. Government entities must implement a layered security approach that includes firewalls, antivirus software, endpoint protection, and malware protection. This ensures that the entire perimeter is safeguarded and all potential entry points are secured.
But bad things happen, and we know that in today’s threat landscape it is a matter of when rather than if an organisation gets hacked. This means that in addition to preventive security measures, government entities must have robust risk mitigation and data recovery plans in place. This ensures that in the event of a breach, the impact can be minimised, and data can be quickly restored.
Continuous testing
Furthermore, government entities must continuously test their environment for potential vulnerabilities or security breaches. This is a crucial and ongoing process, not a one-time exercise. Continuous testing helps maintain a robust security posture and identifies any gaps or weaknesses in the security controls. This allows for proactive remediation and strengthening of the overall security architecture.
Continuous testing is also essential for ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and standards, such as POPIA. It supports effective risk management by identifying and addressing potential vulnerabilities before they can be exploited. At the same time, with the threat landscape constantly evolving, continuous testing helps government entities stay ahead of emerging threats and adapt their security measures accordingly.
Ultimately, by constantly emphasising the need for data protection across all types of government organisations, we can highlight the importance of a comprehensive and inclusive approach to data privacy and compliance. This will help to ensure that personal information is safeguarded, regardless of the size or structure of the entity handling it.