PDPA Standards: Essential Cybersecurity Measures to Follow

PDPA Standards: Essential Cybersecurity Measures to Follow

Data has become a critical asset in the digital age. As data collection and processing grow, so does the need for stringent data protection measures. In Singapore, the Personal Data Protection Act 2012 (PDPA) is the key legislation that outlines the standards and obligations for data protection. 

The PDPA governs the collection, use, and disclosure of personal data in Singapore. It recognizes both the rights of individuals to protect their personal data and the need for organizations to collect and use data for legitimate and reasonable purposes.

The Essential Cybersecurity Measures

1. Purpose Limitation Obligation: Organizations are only allowed to collect, use, or disclose personal data for purposes that a reasonable person would consider appropriate in the circumstances and that the individual has been informed of. This necessitates a clear data collection and usage policy that aligns with the company’s activities.
2. Protection Obligation: Organizations must make reasonable security arrangements to protect the personal data that they possess or control to prevent unauthorized access, collection, use, disclosure, or similar risks. This includes implementing robust cybersecurity measures such as firewalls, encryption, and regular security audits.
3. Accountability: Businesses are accountable for their PDPA compliance. This includes addressing any access requests to personal data held by the business and responding to any PDPC investigations. This calls for a dedicated data protection officer (DPO) who can effectively manage these responsibilities.

The Role of Cybersecurity Certification

One of the effective measures that can be adopted is obtaining cybersecurity certifications like the Cyber Essentials mark. These certifications are not just accolades to be showcased, but they signify the organization’s dedication and commitment to maintaining high levels of data security. When an organization invests time and resources into obtaining such a certification, it’s making a clear statement about the value it places on data protection.

Certifications like the Cyber Essentials mark offer a framework that helps organizations prioritize the essential cybersecurity measures that need to be implemented. It provides a comprehensive checklist of the required security controls that, when followed, significantly reduce the risk of cyber threats. This certification process often includes a detailed audit of the organization’s current cybersecurity measures, identifying potential vulnerabilities, and suggesting improvements.

Adhering to PDPA standards and implementing robust cybersecurity measures is not merely a compliance requirement; it is a commitment to safeguarding individuals’ personal data and a significant step towards establishing a trustworthy relationship with stakeholders. As data continues to shape our digital landscape, ensuring its security should be a top priority for every organization.

How a DPO can help

Your appointed DPO can work with you on your PDPA compliance, ensuring that there will be policies in place to make sure that the handling of personal data is PDPA compliant. This includes promptly responding to the PDPC with their queries to expedite the investigations and prevent a harsher penalty from the Commission. 

A Data Protection Officer (DPO) oversees data protection responsibilities and ensures that organisations comply with the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA). Furthermore, every Organization’s DPO should be able to curb any instances of PDPA noncompliance as it is the officer responsible for maintaining the positive posture of an organisation’s cybersecurity.

DPOs complement organisations’ efforts to ensure that the organisation’s methods of collecting personal data comply with the PDPA. It also ensures that policies are set in place to make sure that there will be no instances of data breaches in the future.

Don’t wait any longer to ensure your organisation is PDPA compliant. Take our free 3-minute PDPA Compliance Self-audit checklist now, the same “secret weapon” used by our clients to keep them on track. Upon completion, we will send you the results so you can take the necessary action to protect your customers’ data. Complete the free assessment checklist today and take the first step towards protecting your customers’ personal data.