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A new professional association has been established for data protection officers in organisations across Ireland. The brainchild of the Irish Computer Society, the new organisation will focus on professional standards at a time when data breaches are on the rise.
According to the Irish Computer Society, the role of data protection officer is an integral factor in an organisation’s ability to maintain its reputation.
The new organisation – the Association of Data Protection Commissioners – will be established at the Irish Computer Society’s annual Data Protection Conference in Croke Park tomorrow.
The Association will speak to the requirements of anyone who is striving to define a data-management strategy, establishing practical processes and structures for their organisation to achieve and maintain compliance with the Irish data protection legislation.
Senior data protection officers from a broad range of Irish public-sector and commercial organisations will form the inaugural Steering Committee of the association.
“Ireland is facing into a period of considerable change in the area of DP with new European Regulations announced on January 25th, which are expected to take effect by early 2014.
“If recent drafts of the legislation can be trusted, there will be significant challenges for any organisation which manages personal data as part of its sales, marketing or deployment strategy,” said Jim Friars, CEO of the Irish Computer Society.
“The Association of Data Protection Officers will support its members with the implementation of these new regulations,” Friars added.