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How to Choose the Right Data Protection Service Consultancy In Nigeria

 is a necessity for every functioning organization. While it is important, most organisations need assistance in the form of data protection service consultancy. In this article, you will learn what a data protection service consultancy is, its needs, the services, and how to choose the right consultancy. What is a Data Protection Service Consultancy? It’s a service that provides organisations with expert advice on how to protect sensitive data from loss, compromise, or unauthorised access. Data protection service consultancy includes a general assessment of the existing system. It is compliance with data protection regulations and the identification of potential data breaches. Also, data protection practices are implemented. This service may also include employee training on safeguarding data. What is the Need for Data Protection Service Consultancy? Data collection, processing, and use form the core of every organisation, small or large. In recent times, there has been a rise in ransomware and phishing attacks on companies’ databases. Hence, the need to protect data from such threats, mishandling, and loss. Due to the importance of data protection, several laws and regulations have been established. These guide businesses on how to protect the sensitive information of their clients, making the process more complex. On one hand, organisations need data protection; on the other, they do not know how. This is where data protection service consultancy comes in. At a cost, organisations can have their entire data security system appraised and updated by agencies well-versed in the area. Services Covered by Data Protection Consultancy  1. Data Protection Audits This is the process that takes a critical look at the data protection practices of an organisation to determine its effectiveness. Data Protection Audits are important for businesses to identify inadequacies in their protection systems.  Are data protection audits compulsory? Yes, they are. As a matter of fact, the ICO (Information Commissioner Office) has the power to carry out compulsory audits of organisations according to S146 of the Data Protection Act, 2018. So, if you know anything about protecting data, you might want to have an audit as soon as possible. 2. Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) Data protection impact assessment is a process that helps identify and reduce the data protection risks associated with a project. DPIA is carried out when a project is large, deals with personal data, or processes the data of sensitive individuals. Resource: Why You Need A DPIA A data protection service consultant will determine the risk and provide a solid plan on how to reduce it to the smallest. Not sure if you need a DPIA? Check the ISO checklist. 3. Data Protection Training Data protection training is an important part of data protection service consultancy, where staff and stakeholders of organisations are educated on the laws and best practices in data protection. The scope of data protection training largely depends on what the business needs.For example, a company unable to follow GDPR will undergo GDPR compliance training. It is also important that data protection training be conducted at reasonable intervals. 4. GDPR Compliance The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a set of rules made to protect the data of European Union (EU) citizens. The consequences of non-compliance with these rules can be dire—up to 4% of annual global turnover, or €20 million. As part of the activities covered, a consultancy will check your organisation’s data protection system for inadequacies and offer help to ensure it becomes GDPR compliant.  5. Outsourced Data Protection Officer (DPO) Data protection consultancies also help organisations with compliance and data protection regulations like the GDPR by assigning a professional well-versed in the laws and practices of data safety. Outsourced DPO services are beneficial to small businesses, especially. Since they don’t have the internal resources to fulfil the role. Resource: Why You Need a DPO Another benefit of this service is that businesses can avoid the extra cost of hiring a full-time employee. Also, they gain full access to expert guidance at the same time. The roles of a DPO include: Monitoring Compliance: Ensures the organization adheres to data protection laws and policies. Advising on Legal Obligations: Provides guidance on compliance with data protection regulations. Risk Assessment: Identifies and mitigates data protection risks in organizational processes. Conducting Audits: Evaluates internal practices to ensure alignment with data protection standards. Liaison with Authorities: Acts as the point of contact for supervisory authorities like data protection regulators. Employee Training: Educates staff about their responsibilities regarding data protection. Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs): Oversees and advises on DPIAs to evaluate the impact of processing activities on data protection. Handling Data Breaches: Manages and reports data breaches as required by law. Fostering Data Privacy Culture: Promotes awareness of data protection principles across the organization. 6. Data Localization Data localisation is the act of keeping data in the region it originated from. For example, if an organisation gets data from Nigeria, they store the data in Nigeria. In times when data can be transferred over the internet at lightning speed, the movement of data and its use have the interest of all data protection stakeholders. Consultancies help businesses localise data by offering data centres or cloud services that have data centres in the required locations. This data protection service reduces the cost of setting up several data centres from scratch for businesses operating in many countries and offers premium data protection. 7. Data Breach Management Many enterprises fall victim to data breaches once in a while. What is more important is how it is managed. Data protection consultancies offer this service to help organisations overcome such occurrences by creating and initiating an incident response plan, assembling an incident response team, and sending public notifications. 8. Data Digitization Data digitisation is the process of converting analogue information to digital format. Organisations handling significant amounts of sensitive data must use this service. These include financial institutions, legal practices, and medical facilities. The digitisation of data makes it easier for them to protect the personal data of their clients. How to Choose the Right Data Protection Service Consultancy When it comes to data protection, one size does not fit all. For that, selecting the right consultancy is

A Fresh Look for Johan Consults Ltd.: Introducing Our New Logo!

A Fresh Look for Johan Consults Limited Nigeria: Introducing Our New Logo!

Over the years, Johan Consult Nigeria Limited has been a trusted resource for Nigerians seeking the best data protection and compliance. This commitment to excellence has helped put many top organisations in a safe and secure position, ensuring the highest standards of data privacy. As we continue to evolve and lead the way in data protection, we’re excited to unveil a brand new look that reflects our ongoing dedication to this vital field. This new logo reflects our commitment to remaining at the forefront of data security and compliance. Why the Change? Our previous logo served us well, but we felt it was time for another look that better represents our brand. However, our new logo is designed to be: Modern: Data protection and compliance practices are constantly changing and our new logo reflects that spirit. Its clean lines and modern look convey our sense of expertise. Memorable and Impactful: Our new logo is visually appealing and easy to remember. This is good for making a strong lasting impression. and help us solidify our position as a trusted leader in the data protection space. Professional and Trustworthy: At the heart of everything we do at Johan Consult is a commitment to data security and our client’s privacy. This new logo is meant to inspire and help reassure our clients that they are dealing with a company that is serious in what they do. Enhanced Brand Recognition: The new logo better represents our name, Johan Consult. This will help strengthen our brand identity and make us easier to identify. Improved User Experience: The logo is clear and concise, improving the user experience on our website and other platforms. Aligning with Our Values: Lastly, our new logo reflects our core values, innovation, reliability, and precision. Continuing Our Commitment With a Seamless Transition As you must have been already, our new logo is gracing our website, media, and social media posts and platforms. Regardless, this will not in any way affect our operations and services to you. We are always available to help with your data protection and compliance needs. We remain passionate about helping businesses navigate the ever-changing data landscape and ensure the highest level of security for their sensitive information. You can contact us or book a free 3-minute consultation. We hope the new logo resonates with you as much as resonates with us. As we continue to innovate and expand our services, we’ll keep you informed.

NDPR: An Overview of The Nigeria Data Protection Regulation

Organizations all over the world are facing a great challenge, “how to safeguard data”. The process of safeguarding data, known as data protection, is a delicate one. Companies, small, medium, and large, are exposed to data threats like cyberattacks, accidental loss, and compromise. Where the wrong persons access data, forgeries, targeted attacks, and impersonations are some of the consequences. This pushed countries—Nigeria included—to lay ground rules to guide organizations through protecting the data of their citizens. Examples are the NDPR, GDPR, UK GDPR, etc. In this article, you’ll learn all there is to know about the Nigerian Data Protection Regulation(NDPR) What is the NDPR? The full NDPR meaning is NIGERIAN DATA PROTECTION REGULATION. It is a set of rules guiding the protection of Nigerian data by organizations. The Nigerian Data Protection Regulation has four objectives, which are: Territorial scope of the NDPR Just like most data protection laws, its reach extends beyond Nigerian borders. The NDPR applies to any organization processing the personal data of Nigerian citizens (home or abroad), regardless of its geographical location. For instance, If an organization in the EU wants to process the personal data of a Nigerian citizen, it has to follow the NDPR.  When was the NDPR Established? The establishment of the Nigerian Data Protection Regulation occurred in January 2019 by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA). Who Regulates NDPR? In the initial stages, the NITDA was the regulatory body. However, there was a need to create a separate body for the NDPR. The NITDA was stretched beyond what was necessary. The Nigeria Data Protection Bureau (NDPB) was established as the regulatory body. The purposes of NDPB are: Principles of the NDPR The Nigerian Data Protection Regulation has some principles guiding organizations (data controllers)  Consent Organizations must get the full consent of the data subjects before collecting, processing, and storing data. The subjects must give consent freely with no trace of foul play. The data subjects also have the right to withdraw their consent. Lawfulness Data can only be collected for lawful purposes. Organizations must clarify the reasons for data collection, processing, and storage. Such purposes should be clearly disclosed to the data subjects. Accuracy Another principle is Accuracy. All the data collected by organizations must be correct. Any inaccuracy should be rectified immediately. Data minimization Data collected can only be processed for the stated purposes. It is unlawful to process data for any reason contradicting the initial purposes. Security Organizations must take specific precautions to ensure data security. This includes measures against unauthorized access, disclosure, loss, and alterations of personal data. Rights of data subjects. Also, the NDPR has provisions for data subjects. Individuals have the clear right to halt the processing of their data. They can also request access, erasure, and correction. Differences between the NDPR and NDPA. NDPA stands for the Nigerian Data Protection Act. Its issuance was in February 2023. The NDPA is the current data protection law in Nigeria. Its issuance did not completely overrule the previous laws—NDPR and the Data Protection Bill. Rather, they were placed under its umbrella. While the NDPA covers most of the NDPR, it lacks the specificity of the latter. The major difference between the two lies in the definition of terms. In summary, the NDPA and NDPR are more similar than different. In times where there is a conflict between the two, the NDPA is supreme. NDPR and GDPR The Nigerian Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) are the regulations for data protection in Nigeria and the EU, respectively. When it comes to it, the penalties are different. Non-compliance with the GDPR comes with a fine of up to 4% of the annual global profit or €20 million, whichever is higher. The NDPR non-compliance penalty is less severe. A fine of up to 2% annual global profit or 10 million Naira, whichever is greater. Nigerian Data Protection Regulation is an adaptation of the GDPR. GDPR is more comprehensive, with a broader scope. In conclusion The Nigerian Data Protection Regulation is important for safeguarding data in Nigeria, and meeting international standards while addressing local needs. Compliance with the NDPR will help organizations avoid penalties and foster trust among the client community. Are you an organization looking to scale up your NDPR and GDPR compliance? You can reach out to us at Johan Consults and be sure to get the best.

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