Achieving a privacy and security program requires translating the principles and activities outlined in the framework into concrete actions and processes that can be practically implemented within an organization.
This typically requires defining clear roles and responsibilities, establishing clear lines of communication and decision-making, setting up systems and processes for oversight, and ultimately enforcing compliance.
Of course, these major activities are easier said than done, but here are five concrete steps you can take to increase your chances of a successful privacy or security program.
1: Identify, map, and engage key stakeholders
This includes identifying those who have a vested interest in the governance framework, such as the board of directors, the organization’s senior management, certain employee groups, and customers. Once you have identified these, engage with them. Give them your thoughts on how an effective privacy or security program should be implemented. Let them understand the different meanings of the different options available. Get their buy-in and support.
2: Define clear roles and responsibilities
Clearly define the relevant organizational roles for a successful privacy or security program. This may require approval to define the new role within your organization. Assign the necessary responsibilities to roles and connect them to stakeholders such as managers. This ensures that everyone involved in implementing governance her framework understands their role, how it fits into the overall framework, and that the organizational setup is supported by management.
3: Establish clear lines of communication
Define your engagement model and follow it. Effective communication ensures that all parties understand their roles and know what is expected of them.
4: Compliance monitoring and enforcement
Establish processes to monitor and enforce compliance as part of your privacy or security program, including through periodic reporting, self-assessments, audits, and other forms of monitoring. Also, be sure to report the status and success of your work to the stakeholders you defined as part of Step 1, so that any issues are addressed quickly and your work stays on the radar of these stakeholders.
5: Review and update your privacy and security program annually
Regularly reviewing and updating our privacy and security program ensures that it remains relevant, effective, and responsive to the changes and developments that all organizations experience.
