Appointment of a Data Protection Officer (DPO)

• Designate a DPO responsible for overseeing compliance, monitoring data processing activities, and serving as a point of contact for regulators.
• Ensure the DPO undergoes continuous training in data protection laws and practices.

Internal Compliance Audits

• Conduct periodic audits (quarterly or bi-annually) to assess compliance with NDPA, NDPR, and global standards.
• Document audit findings and implement corrective measures for identified gaps.

Steps for Conducting Internal Audits:

• Audit Planning & Scope Definition

  • Define the audit objectives, scope, and key risk areas.
  • Determine which departments, data processes, and systems will be reviewed.
  • Identify the audit team, including internal compliance officers and external experts if needed.

• Data Mapping & Inventory Review

  • Examine all personal data processing activities, data flows, and storage locations.
  • Verify whether data is being processed in line with documented policies and legal requirements.

• Policy & Compliance Check

  • Assess compliance with NDPA, NDPR, GDPR (if applicable) and internal data privacy policies.
  • Review data protection impact assessments (DPIAs) conducted on high-risk processing activities.
  • Ensure that data retention policies align with regulatory requirements.

• Security & Access Control Review

  • Evaluate physical and digital security measures, including encryption, access controls, and authentication.
  • Check for vulnerabilities in IT systems, third-party integrations, and cloud storage solutions.
  • Assess compliance with cybersecurity best practices.

• Third-Party Vendor Assessment

  • Review contracts and agreements with external vendors handling personal data.
  • Verify if vendors comply with TASCK’s data protection standards and regulatory requirements.
  • Ensure data processing agreements (DPAs) are in place for all third-party relationships.

• Employee Compliance & Awareness Check

  • Assess employee awareness and training effectiveness regarding data protection obligations.
  • Conduct spot checks or employee interviews to ensure adherence to policies.

• Incident & Breach Handling Review

  • Evaluate previous incidents, responses, and lessons learned from data breaches or policy violations.
  • Ensure proper reporting mechanisms exist for suspected data breaches.
  • Verify that all incidents are documented and addressed according to policy.

• Audit Report & Corrective Actions

  • Compile findings into a detailed audit report, highlighting compliance gaps and risks.
  • Provide recommendations for improvements, including timelines for remediation.
  • Assign corrective actions to relevant teams and monitor implementation progress..

• Follow-up & Continuous Monitoring

  • Schedule follow-up audits to assess the effectiveness of corrective actions.
  • Implement automated tools for real-time monitoring of data protection compliance.
  • Update policies and procedures based on audit findings and regulatory changes.

Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIA)

• Evaluate high-risk data processing activities to mitigate potential privacy risks.
• Update risk mitigation strategies based on DPIA findings.

Employee Training and Awareness Programs

• Implement ongoing training sessions for employees on data protection policies and best practices.
• Introduce role-based training to ensure each department understands its data protection responsibilities.