The Global Privacy Enforcement Network (GPEN) has conducted an annual intelligence gathering operation, which looked at how well organisations have implemented the core concepts of accountability into their own internal privacy policies and programmes.
The joint study, known as the `GPEN sweep' is carried out by data protection regulators across the globe.
Whilst there were examples of good practice, it was found that a number of organisations had no processes in place to deal with the complaints and queries raised by data subjects, and were not equipped to handle data security incidents appropriately.
ICO Head of Intelligence, Adam Stevens, said: “The findings suggest that whilst organisations contacted by the ICO and our international partners have a good understanding of the basic concept of accountability, in practice there is significant room for improvement.
“It is important that organisations have appropriate technical and organisational measures in place. This includes having clear data protection policies, taking a ‘data protection by design and default’ approach and continuing to review and monitor performance and adherence to data protection rules and regulations.”
Participating GPEN members made contact with 356 organisations in 18 countries during the ‘sweep’ and came to the following conclusions:
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When it comes to monitoring internal performance in relation to data protection standards, many organisations were found to fall short, with around a quarter who responded having no programmes in place to conduct self-assessments and/or internal audits.
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Organisations were generally found to be quite good at giving data protection training to staff, but often failed to provide refresher training to existing staff.
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The organisations that indicated that they have monitoring programmes in place generally gave examples of good practice, noting that they conduct annual audits or reviews and/or regular self-assessments.
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Nearly three quarters of organisations across all sectors and jurisdictions had appointed an individual or team who would assume responsibility for ensuring that their organisation complied with relevant data protection rules and regulations.
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Over half of the organisations surveyed indicated that they have documented incident response procedures, and that they maintain up to date records of all data security incidents and breaches. However, a number of organisations indicated that they have no processes in place to respond appropriately in the event of a data security incident.
As a result of the investigation, individual GPEN members may contact organisations in their own countries to assess what remedial action they need to take to improve user controls over their personal information.
The international report can be accessed here: https://ico.org.uk/media/about-the-ico/documents/2614435/gpen-sweep-2018-international-report.pdf