Improve privacy in the workplace with these 3 tips

It is becoming increasingly easy for criminals to get their hands on sensitive information. Furthermore, data today can travel the world with the click of a mouse. This makes protecting personal data in the workplace more important than ever. This article offers three practical tips to ensure privacy in the workplace, focusing on the General Data Protection Regulation (AVG). 

Tip 1: Create awareness among employees

Imagine your customer service colleague one day inadvertently sharing sensitive data with a person on the phone pretending to be someone else. Of course, it should never come to that. Therefore, you must ensure that awareness is created among all employees about the importance of privacy and the protection of personal data.  

Organizing trainings and workshops can help raise awareness and ensure that everyone is up to date on applicable laws and regulations, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (AVG). This is the legislation that teaches us how to handle personal data. You can use a learning theme on privacy in the workplace within your organization, where they can, for example, take a learning line on this topic on your online learning platform and undertake other workshops and activities to learn about this topic. At SkillsTown, we are happy to help you organize such a learning theme.  

Tip 2: Provide clear guidelines and policies

Every organization, large or small, needs a privacy policy. This contains clear guidelines and policies on how to handle personal and sensitive information. This policy is not only a guide for the team, but also a statement of trust to your customers. 

Create a policy manual in which the guidelines are understandable to everyone in the organization. Also make sure it is easily accessible via your company's intranet and updated regularly. This handbook can include detailed steps on how to act in the event of a data breach, including who to contact, how to mitigate the damage and how to notify those affected.   

Tip 3: Pay close attention when collecting data

Have you ever delved into what happens at companies that have experienced a data breach? In 2017, for example, Equifax was hit by a data breach that exposed sensitive information of about 147 million people, including Social Security numbers and driver's license numbers. The financial impact of this was significantly high, with a settlement of at least $575 million. Further, it resulted in significant reputational damage.  

You can avoid something like this by being careful about data collection. For example, collect only the personal data necessary to perform the work. It is important to look critically at the amount and type of data collected and make sure it does not go beyond what is strictly necessary. In addition, make sure personal data is shared and stored securely. Use encrypted connections and ensure adequate security of databases and networks. Be extra careful with sensitive information and restrict access to it to only those who need it. 

Start workplace privacy training?

Want to prevent accidents and train employees so they know how to handle privacy in the workplace? We can help! On SkillsTown's online learning platform, you'll find training courses that your employees can take. You'll also find a learning line, which you could make mandatory. This way you can be sure that your employees are up to date on important knowledge. Contact your Learning Professional for more information. 

Are you not yet using an online learning platform within your organization? We will gladly show you all the possibilities with a free, no-obligation demo.  

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