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Published 28 February 2023 | 2 min read
As growing businesses in New Zealand are handling more personal information, the risk of privacy breaches and data leaks has become a significant concern. In recent years, there have been several high-profile incidents of personal information being compromised, resulting in significant financial and reputational damage to the affected businesses.
To address this issue, many Kiwi businesses have tried to implement privacy policies and procedures, with varying degrees of success. However, many of these businesses are struggling to keep up with changing regulations and best practices, leading to further headaches and potential risks.
For example, a small financial services business in Auckland recently suffered a major privacy breach when a disgruntled employee leaked confidential client information. The business had implemented some privacy policies and procedures but had not conducted a privacy audit review in several years, leaving them vulnerable to this type of incident.
To avoid similar incidents, businesses can turn to EQ Consultants for expert guidance on privacy compliance and risk management. EQ Consultants is a leading provider of HR and business consulting services, offering a range of solutions to help businesses protect their valuable data.
One key service that EQ Consultants provides is the development of Disaster Recovery Plans (DRPs). DRPs can vary depending on what industry you are in and EQ Consultants can assist with these. For example, privacy audits are a type of DRP. Our consultants have conducted many of these for businesses concerned about their risk factor and lack of prevention strategies if a privacy emergency does occur.
How to create a disaster recovery plan
Step 1. Conduct a Risk Assessment
Identify potential risks to the organization and its critical business functions, including risks related to personal information.
Step 2. Develop a Plan
Based on the risk assessment, develop a plan that outlines the steps the organization will take to respond to a disaster or other disruptive event. This plan should include provisions for privacy protection, such as data encryption, access controls, and regular privacy audit reviews.
Step 3. Assign Roles and Responsibilities
Assign roles and responsibilities to specific individuals within the organisation, including a designated privacy officer who will be responsible for conducting regular privacy audit reviews through an external provider such as EQ Consultants.
Step 4. Train Employees
Train employees on privacy policies and procedures, including data handling practices and incident reporting.
Step 5. Test and Update the Plan
Regularly test and update the DRP to ensure that it remains effective and relevant.
By partnering with EQ Consultants, businesses can ensure that their DRPs are comprehensive and effective, providing peace of mind and protection for their valuable data.
In conclusion, the increasing use of personal information by small businesses in New Zealand requires proactive measures to mitigate the risks of privacy breaches and data leaks. While many businesses have attempted to implement privacy policies and procedures, they often struggle to keep up with changing regulations and best practices.
To address this issue, businesses can turn to EQ Consultants for expert guidance on privacy compliance and risk management, including the development of DRPs that include a privacy audit review. By taking a proactive approach to privacy protection, businesses can avoid potential headaches and risks and ensure the long-term security of their data.