Personal data is an asset for businesses, but it is also a liability if not protected. Data breaches can result in a loss of customer trust, legal repercussions, and financial loss.
PII includes information that can identify individuals, such as names, addresses, Social Security numbers, or email addresses. PII auditing helps identify potential vulnerabilities in a company’s data handling processes, making it easier to fix them before a breach occurs.
- Define the Scope: The first step is to define the scope of the audit, including the types of PII handled by the organisation, the systems and processes that handle this data, and the locations where the data is stored.
- Identify Risks: The next step is to identify potential risks to the privacy of PII. This includes analysing data flows and processes, identifying vulnerabilities, and assessing the likelihood and impact of data breaches.
- Evaluate Controls: In this step, the organisation evaluates the effectiveness of existing controls to mitigate risks to PII. This includes reviewing policies, procedures, and technical controls, such as access controls, encryption, and data backup.
- Develop Action Plan: Based on the risks identified and controls evaluated, the organisation should develop an action plan to mitigate any vulnerabilities or weaknesses in the system.
- Implement and Monitor: After developing an action plan, the organisation should implement the recommended changes and monitor their effectiveness regularly. This includes regularly reviewing policies and procedures and conducting ongoing assessments to ensure that the systems and processes continue to protect PII.
Want to know more? Call our team on (08) 6146 4446 or email info@vgtech.com.au for an obligation free consultation.
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