Is Your Company Ready for a Data Breach? Accountability and Protection Explained

The digital age has reshaped how businesses and individuals handle data. However, this transformation also comes with its risks, particularly with the rising incidence of data breaches. Data breaches in the Philippines have become a significant concern for businesses and government agencies alike, with millions of personal records potentially exposed to unauthorized access or misuse.

Data Privacy vs. Data Protection: What’s the Difference?

Although often used interchangeably, data privacy and data protection address different aspects of managing personal information. Data privacy focuses on an individual’s right to control how their data is collected, stored, and shared, with laws like the Philippines' Data Privacy Act of 2012 ensuring responsible handling and consent.

In contrast, data protection involves the security measures used to safeguard data from unauthorized access, corruption, or loss. This includes technical measures like encryption, firewalls, and access controls to defend against cyberattacks and accidental exposure.

Data Protection Accountability and Employee Rights

As more organizations process sensitive personal data, accountability becomes a critical aspect of data protection. Data protection accountability ensures that companies and institutions are held responsible for the security of the data they handle. This means having clear policies in place, conducting regular audits, and appointing a Data Protection Officer (DPO) who oversees the implementation of data security measures.

Accountability extends to the rights of employees. Under the law, employees in the Philippines are entitled to certain data protection rights:

1. Right to be informed: Employees have the right to know how their personal data is being collected and used by their employers, whether it’s for payroll, benefits, or HR records.
2. Right to access: Employees can request access to the data that is stored about them and understand how it’s being processed.
3. Right to correction: If any information is inaccurate or outdated, employees have the right to correct their personal data.
4. Right to object: Employees can object to the processing of their personal data if they believe it is being used unlawfully or without their consent.

Employers are required to maintain transparency with their staff regarding data processing activities. Failure to do so can lead to penalties, as mandated by the National Privacy Commission (NPC), which enforces the country’s data privacy laws.

Preventing Security Breaches in the Workplace

Guarding security breaches in the workplace requires more than just safeguarding against external threats—internal negligence and weak security practices can also put sensitive data at risk. To mitigate these dangers, companies need a robust data protection strategy that combines technical measures with ongoing employee education. Regular training on recognizing phishing attempts, using secure networks, and creating strong passwords is crucial to keeping your workforce informed and vigilant.

Key practices to prevent breaches include limiting access to sensitive data based on roles, encrypting information both in transit and at rest, and conducting regular audits to identify vulnerabilities. Additionally, having an incident response plan in place allows for swift action in the event of a breach, minimizing damage and controlling data loss.

Building a Culture of Data Security

Data protection is not just the responsibility of a company’s IT department—it requires a collective effort across the entire organization. Establishing a culture of awareness and accountability is integral to preventing costly breaches.

In the Philippines, data protection laws are evolving, and businesses must stay proactive in safeguarding the personal data they handle. By implementing best practices and staying committed to data protection accountability, organizations can reduce their vulnerability to cyberattacks and protect both their business and their employees from the devastating effects of data breaches.