Where can a Data Protection Officer (DPO) gain knowledge?

The UODO (Urząd Ochrony Danych Osobowych) is the body responsible for guarding the security and protection of personal data. The basic tasks of the UODO include, among others, enforcing regulations related to personal data protection, considering complaints, providing legal information, and conducting proceedings. The Personal Data Protection Office has the right to audit controllers and organizations for compliance in data processing with legal regulations. In the event of detecting potential irregularities, the UODO has a range of tools to enforce changes – for example, it can issue an appropriate reprimand or, as a last resort, impose a financial penalty.

The role of the Data Protection Officer (DPO)

A Data Protection Officer (DPO) is responsible for and supervises compliance with regulations aimed at protecting personal data within a given organization. Their duties are therefore based on constant monitoring and auditing of the alignment between company activities and data protection law. It is their responsibility to ensure that data is processed correctly—meaning in accordance with regulations—and that any breaches are reported immediately.

Some organizations have a statutory obligation to designate a person to fulfill this function. These include all organizations, regardless of whether they are controllers or processors, if their core activities involve large-scale processing of sensitive data or regular and systematic large-scale monitoring of individuals. Public administration bodies are always required to designate a DPO. (source)

Other entities may, but are not required to, create such a position. The DPO has legally defined duties related to implementing elements of the GDPR, which include:

• principles of personal data processing;
• rights of the data subjects;
• data protection by design and data protection by default;
• maintaining a record of processing activities;
• processing security requirements;
• reporting breaches.

For this reason, in practise, many organizations not subject to this obligaion designate an employee whose task is to ensure the correctness of the data processing process, but they are not formally appointed as an Officer.

Where to upadate knowledge on Personal Data Protection?

Due to emarging changes in law and personal data policy, the Data Protection Offier (DPO) must stay up to date and react accordingly. Thematic events, such as conferences or webinars addressing current problems and applicable solutions related to data protection, prove to be very helpful. 

Data Loss Prevention (DLP)

The risk of sensitive data leakage in constantly growing; consequently, DLP systems are gaining popularity as a significant solution and an answer to mitigating this risk. The mechanisms used in these systems limit the risk of data loss or unauthoried sharing outside the organization. Importantly, they protect against both unintentional and intentional sharing.

The main security measure involves applying blocks that restrict the sending, copying, and transmission of specific data critical to the company. Implementation requires a prior analysis of data processing within the organization, resulting in a list of risks that the DLP will prevent.

You can learn more about how DLP protects data here.