By Njoki Kimemia Legal & Data Protection Associate South-End Tech Limited

We are excited to announce that Dalberg Research Nairobi has kicked off its company-wide Data Protection Training!

South-End Tech Limited‘s bespoke training focuses on supporting Dalberg Research in its actionable research and analysis solutions for African clients. The training supports the ethical unlocking of data for better research outcomes.

The cohort training runs on select days from September to November 2023 under the theme of “Investing in Data Protection for Trust and Better Research Outcomes”.

Data Protection & Data Security Concepts

Data protection entails three major concepts: Privacy Protection and Security. Privacy generally means the ability of a person to determine for themselves when, how, and to what extent personal information about them is shared with or communicated to others whereas Data protection is the mechanism that enforces the policies and regulations into motion and prevents unauthorized access or use. Data security is the concept of protecting digital data from theft, corruption, or unauthorized access throughout its entire lifecycle.

Research institutions deal with a wide array of sensitive information, ranging from personal and medical data to proprietary research findings. Unauthorized access or breaches of this information can have severe consequences, both for the individuals involved and the institution itself. Data protection training equips staff with the knowledge and skills to handle sensitive data securely, minimizing the risk of unauthorized access or data breaches.

In the context of research, privacy issues arise whenever data relating to persons are collected and stored, in digital form or otherwise. The main challenge for research is to use and share the data, and at the same time protect personal privacy.

Awareness Questions Before You Commence Research

1. Did you obtain consent before you began processing?
2. Will you collect, store, or in any other way process any type of personal data within the framework of the research?
3. What categories of human participants/data subjects will your research involve?
4. Are you familiar with the principles for processing personal data?
5. What legal framework is applicable in case you process/transfer the data in more than one jurisdiction?
6. Are all the sensitive data you plan to collect necessary and relevant to the research question?
7. How will you ensure secure access to the data processed?
8. How will you ensure secure storage of the data?
9. Are you well equipped to ensure you can respond to Data Subject access requests?

In conclusion, as technology advances and new threats emerge, the landscape of data protection is constantly evolving. Regular and updated data protection training helps keep staff informed about the latest threats and best practices, enabling the institution to adapt and implement effective security measures accordingly. This proactive approach future-proofs the institution, ensuring that it remains ahead of potential threats.

data protection training is not merely an option but a necessity for research institutions. It plays a pivotal role in ensuring the security and privacy of sensitive data, compliance with regulations, fostering a culture of responsibility, mitigating risks and liabilities, enhancing collaboration, and future-proofing the institution. Investing in comprehensive data protection training is an investment in the integrity, reputation, and success of the research institution and the broader research community.

Sincerely,

Njoki Kimemia

Legal & Data Protection

South-End Tech Limited

Please do not hesitate to contact us for your Data Protection Solutions and Service needs on the telephone at +254115867309 +254721864169; +254740196519; +254115867309 or email nkimemia@southendtech.co.ke or info@southendtech.co.ke