Data protection officer services for small businesses in Singapore

Data protection officer services for small businesses in Singapore

Under the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA), a Data Protection Officer (DPO) is required for every organisation, big or small, especially those that use, collect, and disclose the personal data of individuals.

It is an officer that oversees that organisation’s data protection strategies and its implementation to ensure there will be no mismanagement of valuable personal data, an important role to avoid any looming data breach. 

In Singapore, businesses with an annual turnover of more than SGD 3 million, or those that handle the personal data of at least 1000 individuals, are required to appoint a DPO as failure to do so would be liable under Section 11(3) of the PDPA. 

In the case of Jigsaya, the Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC) imposed a hefty financial penalty of S$30,000 for failure to appoint a DPO and breaching the Protection Obligation of the PDPA. 

With this said, organisations in Singapore are obliged to appoint a DPO, either in-house or outsourced, especially small businesses to avoid a financial penalty that may come their way. And yes, there’s also PDPA compliance for MCSTs! Aside from the fact that they need to ensure that their cybersecurity is as tight as possible, it is also to ensure that they will not be imposed a financial penalty from the PDPC. 

Role of a DPO to small businesses

The role of a DPO for small businesses is no different to that of a DPO for enterprises. Regardless of size, organisations that possess personal data bear the responsibility of protecting that personal data. Hence, the DPO ensures that an organization’s data protection policies and practices are in compliance with the PDPA and other relevant data protection regulations. Generally, the following are the tasks of a DPO:

• Ensures that your present practices are in accordance with the PDPA. An officer accomplishes this by auditing the company’s data storage and utilization, both on paper (hard copy) and online (soft copy)
• Handles staff and client queries and complaints about data privacy in your company.
• Advocates for the importance of data privacy inside your organization
• Notifies you and your other management team if any dangers are detected
• Liaises with Singapore’s major data protection body, the Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC), and receives information on any developments in data protection matters as well as additional training.

Again, it should be noted that bad actors do not discriminate whether your organisation is small or big. Having a mindset that your organisation will not be hit simply because your business is not big enough to get the attention of bad actors is a dangerous thing to do, as they could be lurking and waiting for you to let your guard down and attack you. 

With this said, having a DPO could be of great help for small businesses as it ensures that your small business will be protected from bad actors who are trying to bait you and, at the same time, ensure that you are compliant with the requirements under the PDPA. 

Data protection officer services for small businesses in Singapore

Since having a DPO is mandatory for every organisation, this could mean an additional financial burden for your organisation. Fortunately, professional service providers such as Privacy Ninja now offer DPO-as-a-Service, where you can simply outsource to an expert at an affordable price. 

DPOs play a key role in building trust with customers and clients. By demonstrating a commitment to data protection and demonstrating the proper handling of personal data, small businesses can improve their reputation and build trust with their customers.

While it is true that a small business does not have an equal footing compared to big companies in terms of financial capacity, hiring a DPO can be a cost-effective way for small businesses to ensure compliance with the PDPA and to protect the personal data of their customers and clients.

An outsourced DPO for small businesses can develop and implement data protection policies, train employees on data protection best practices, and assist with data protection risk assessments. 

It can also help small businesses identify potential data protection risks and implement measures to mitigate those risks. This can include measures such as encryption of personal data, implementation of access controls, and regular audits of data protection practices.

Conclusion

A DPO is necessary for every small business in Singapore to have. Apart from its mandatory nature under the PDPA, it is essential for the healthy posture of a small business’ cybersecurity.

Consulting data protection officer services for small businesses in Singapore can be an affordable way for small businesses in Singapore to benefit from the knowledge and resources of a professional in this field. DPOs can be hired on a contract basis, allowing small businesses to get expert help without having to hire a full-time employee. This can be especially helpful for small businesses that don’t have the resources or knowledge to appoint a DPO permanently. 

DPO services can be an important resource for small businesses in Singapore to ensure compliance with data protection regulations and to safeguard their customers’ personal data. By having a DPO, small businesses can get help from a data protection professional to navigate the complex world of data protection regulations and protect their customers’ personal data. 

Overall, implementing strong data protection policies and practices can enhance a small business’s reputation, increase trust with customers, and reduce the risk of data breaches and other data protection issues.

Want to know your organization’s current data protection posture and what potential gaps you may have in your processes and policies? Complete this 3-minute FREE PDPA Compliance Self-Audit Checklist and receive your evaluation!