As data privacy regulations become entrenched in company policy, the role of human resource (HR) professionals will become more critical in encouraging compliance and treating with breaches.

With this in mind, data protection consultancy outfit Design Privacy recently hosted an exclusive workshop for HR professionals to address the critical need for Data Protection Officers (DPOs) in Jamaican organisations. Leading the seminar were the founder of Design Privacy Chukwuemeka Cameron and HR consultant Tracey Wallace, who introduced innovative tools and strategies designed to help HR professionals appoint, assess, and train DPOs in compliance with the Jamaican Data Protection Act.

Responding to growing concerns from HR practitioners about their role in data protection, the workshop highlighted key challenges, including the qualifications needed for a DPO, the potential conflicts of interest with internal appointments, and the decision between outsourcing the DPO role and hiring from within.

“Data privacy is no longer an IT or legal issue; it’s an organizational issue that HR professionals must lead,” Cameron pointed out.

“Our goal with this workshop was to empower HR leaders with the knowledge, tools, and frameworks to confidently appoint and manage DPOs, ensuring their organisations remain compliant with the Data Protection Act,” he added.

Some of the topic covered in the workshop included:

• DPO Competency Framework: Developed by Design Privacy and Tracey Wallace, this framework outlines the core skills, knowledge, and behaviours required for DPOs to succeed. It helps HR professionals to recruit, develop and assess DPOs within their organisations.
• DPO Assessment App: A new digital tool introduced during the session, the app allows HR leaders to evaluate DPO candidates using a structured scoring system based on the competency framework.
• Open DPO Community: A subscription-based platform that provides ongoing training, workshops, and access to AI-driven data protection tools, ensuring DPOs stay updated on compliance best practices.
• Outsourcing vs Insourcing Guidance: Cameron offered practical advice on whether organisations should outsource the DPO role, recommending that large entities consider outsourcing for the first few years to ensure compliance while building internal capacity.

“With the Jamaican Data Protection Act now in full effect, HR professionals play a pivotal role in shaping their organisation’s approach to data privacy,” Wallace explained, adding: “We’re excited to offer them the tools and support they need to rise to the challenge.”

At the end of the workshop, an invitation was extended to HR personnel to explore Design Privacy’s full suite of data protection services. The consultancy firm has an e-learning platform offering customised, gamified training for staff to ensure organisation-wide compliance.