In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, various organisations have quickly stepped into action, undertaking fundraising, collection of goods, provision of services (such as healthcare), contributing to recovery and restoration, search and rescue efforts and assisting with locating and reuniting relatives and loved ones.

As a result of these efforts, large volumes of personal data and sensitive personal data of individuals, including children, the elderly, disabled and the displaced, are being processed, requiring organisations and associations to exercise care so that individuals’ rights under the Data Protection Act, 2020, are respected, even in the face of these extraordinary circumstances.

On the heels of this catastrophe, global data privacy consultancy firm Securys, in partnership with the Council of Voluntary Social Services (CVSS), convened a first-of-its-kind national webinar under the theme “Protecting Privacy In Times of Peril” as part of their pioneering “Privacy with Purpose” MoU. The event brought together a powerhouse panel of business, nonprofit and regulatory leaders to confront a question too often overlooked in disaster response—how do we protect privacy when everything else is at risk?

A New Kind of Emergency

“Even during disaster, the responsibility to protect people’s data does not disappear.  In fact, it becomes even more important,” declared Nadine Spence, Vice President of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce & Industry as well as the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association.  Spence, the only panellist based in Western Jamaica, recounted how her own organisation, already grappling with damaged infrastructure and displaced staff, faced the daunting task of safeguarding sensitive data amid chaos. 

The other panel members included:

• Celia Barclay, Commissioner – Office of the Information Commissioner, Jamaica,
• Nancy Pinchas, Executive Director – CVSS,
• Kamesha Blake, Executive Director – Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association,
• Samantha Wood-Tolan, Privacy Consultant and Data Protection Officer – Securys (Ja.) Ltd.

Panellists painted a vivid picture of the challenges ahead. From small charities with no IT support to major manufacturers struggling to meet international compliance, the message was clear: data protection is not a luxury, but a necessity—especially in times of crisis.

Lessons From The Front Lines

Panellists shared hard-hitting stories:

• NGOs unable to contact hundreds of volunteers due to destroyed communications,
• Businesses paralyzed by the loss of both paper and digital records,
• The risk of identity theft and exploitation rising as personal details are rapidly collected and sometimes carelessly shared in the rush to deliver aid.

“Privacy is paramount.  It doesn’t pause when there’s a cause,” said Information Commissioner Celia Barclay, warning that even well-intentioned relief efforts can create new harms if privacy is neglected.  “No protection is never acceptable.  Even minimal protection is better than none.”

A Blueprint for the Future

The “Protecting Privacy In Times of Peril” webinar didn’t just spotlight problems—it delivered a roadmap for action. Organisations were encouraged to observe the following best practices

• Ensure the existence of a tested Disaster Recovery Plan which includes digitisation and backup records,
• In providing relief to individuals, only collect personal data that is necessary, secure it fiercely and be transparent about why the data is needed, whether it will be shared and how long it will be retained for,
• Empower communities and organisations—from micro-NGOs to major enterprises—to adopt privacy-by-design, even with limited resources,
• Build cross-sector partnerships to share best practices and strengthen national resilience.

In a move welcomed by attendees, Securys announced it will provide all participants with the Protecting Privacy In Times of Peril Community Kit— a practical resource packed with guidance to help Jamaican organisations safeguard data and maintain compliance, even in the toughest circumstances. 

“Resilience isn’t built during the storm; it’s built long before it,” Spence reminded attendees.  “Preparation protects your people, your operations and your future.”

A Call to Action for Jamaica—and Beyond

With climate risks mounting and disasters becoming more frequent, the “Privacy With Purpose” partnership between Securys and CVSS is blazing a trail for the Caribbean and the world.  As panellist Kamesha Blake put it: “our machines can break, but our data must never break”.

The event closed with a powerful consensus: safeguarding privacy is fundamental to safeguarding dignity, trust and recovery.  As Jamaica rebuilds, its leaders are making sure no one is left exposed—digitally or otherwise.