Singapore Data Protection Officer: Why struggle when you can outsource?

Singapore data protection officer: Why struggle when you can outsource?

Appointing a Data Protection Officer (DPO) is a necessity for every organisation. Aside from the fact that it is mandatory under the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA), DPOs undertake an important role in an organisation’s cybersecurity posture and overall cybersecurity hygiene. 

In complying with the PDPA, organizations have two options: either hire their own in-house DPO or simply outsource an affordable one. But before we dwell deeper into that, let’s first define a DPO.

Also read: Guarding Against Common Types of Data Breaches in Singapore

What is a Data Protection Officer?

A Data Protection Officer is an officer who is responsible for ensuring that the PDPA is complied with. It is the officer who oversees the organisation’s data protection strategy and its implementation to ensure there will be no mismanagement of valuable personal data. 

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.

Hiring an in-house DPO

Hiring an in-house DPO has its benefits, but this may not be for all sorts and sizes of organisations. Hiring an in-house DPO may be a challenge to SMEs, startups, MCSTs, and non-profit organisations. The following are the common struggles these organisations face in hiring an in-house DPO.

(1) they cannot afford to hire a full-time DPO as this may mean an additional financial burden that they may not yet be ready for and are wondering if this is worth their budget;

(2) They are currently assigning an employee as the DPO. In this case, the employee might have too much on their plate already; and

(3) They haven’t appointed a DPO yet but understand that this is mandatory under the PDPA.

Luckily, there is a workaround to these struggles; they can easily outsource a DPO at an affordable price. 

Outsourcing your DPO

Outsourced DPO service providers acknowledge that some firms may be limited in terms of resources or capabilities. Hiring a full-time Data Protection Officer may not be feasible in this case. 

One advantage of outsourcing your DPO is knowing that the officer is an expert in the field. It is also significantly less expensive than hiring a full-time employee. Moreover, outsourcing your DPO ensures that such an officer is knowledgeable about the PDPA’s data protection obligations and can provide value with cybersecurity experience.

Outsource your DPO with Privacy Ninja

At Privacy Ninja, we fully understand the constraints that come with some businesses. However, we also understand the value of full PDPA compliance. Hence, we built a model that will allow capability-strapped organisations to enjoy full compliance with the law without the hassle of maintaining an internal DPO.

Outsourcing your DPO lets your organisation focus on what you do best – to grow your business – while we take on your DPO operational obligations. 

Specifically, here’s what we do for our clients under this service:

• Register appointed DPO in ACRA BizFile+
• Develop data protection policies and overall Data Protection Management Programme (DPMP)
• Be part of group email to answer any Data Protection related queries
• PDPC Corporate E-learning with assessment tracking for employees
• Bi-annual company review/risk assessment on business processes and audit
• Review of corporate website Privacy Policy to ensure PDPA compliance
• Weekly emailer on the latest PDPA breaches and regulations
• Ongoing data protection support for specific business questions

With Privacy Ninja, you can ensure that you are in good hands. With years of experience, expertise in the cybersecurity field, and a trusted name, you can leave your DPO need with us. 

Also read: How GDPR Singapore impacts businesses and its compliance