Data protection is here to stay, and Nigerian organisations can no longer look away from complying with local rules as the IT regulator takes a tougher stance on data privacy, Ayo Eso, CEO of 3Consulting says.
The Nigerian Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), the IT regulatory agency for the country, has in recent times taken tougher positions on data protection, including imposing deadlines to make government institution comply with the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation 2019 (NDPR), a set of rules on protecting private information of Nigerians.
The Nigerian IT regulator has also issued licences to a number of Data Protection Compliance Organisations (DPCOs) hoped to assist organisation meet the necessary compliance standards for the protection of the private data of Nigerians in line with the NDPR issued by NITDA.
The 3Cosulting CEO thinks the convergence is even more crucial now as “technology ensures a clear understanding and implementation of what assures data protection and the legal brings about the right advisory services.”
Ayo Eso, CEO, 3Consulting Limited
Data Protection: How NDPR to drive data protection in Nigeria
The NDPR that addresses broad issues consent of data, data privacy, lawful processing hoped to protect the private data of Nigerians will also reduce the barriers of Nigerian businesses to global opportunities as the Regulation “meets the minimum standards required for trans-border data processing.” NITDA says NDPR “would help Nigerians to engage freely with other foreign businesses upon compliance with a home-grown data regulatory regime.”
NITDA also says that DPCOs issued licences by the regulator, will help organisations navigate the maze of NDPR to become compliant.
Eso, CEO of 3Cosulting Limited, a Nigerian IT Consulting company, and one of the DPCOs licensed by NITDA, says that data is a new frontier of the digital age, and current local efforts to drive data protection compliance will deliver positive results for the Nigerian economy.
Given the global Data Protection drive bringing together technology within a legal framework, “it is very important to work in accordance with set regulations to ensure full compliance.”
The 3Cosulting CEO thinks the convergence is even more crucial now as “technology ensures a clear understanding and implementation of what assures data protection and the legal brings about the right advisory services.”
Data Protection: Navigating the technical maze
For him, NITDA’s commitment to drive data privacy in the country through approved DPCOs will enable organisation align their processes with the requirements of the NDPR released by the IT regulator.
As a DPCO, 3Consulting will enable organisations navigate the data privacy terrain and “through the ever-changing data protection world, beyond audits, ensuring that your company, meets all regulations and standards set by the agency as well as international global standards.”
According to Eso, as a DPCO, 3Consulting works with organisations to achieve compliance requirements on “ensuring the rights of people to data privacy, secure transactions involving the exchange of personal data, no manipulation of personal data and more importantly, that Nigerian businesses remain competitive in international trade through the regulatory framework on data protection.”
According to him, “we recognise that some companies have already started this data protection journey. This is absolutely good. The journey goes on beyond the audit. Whether you have started, or not, it will involve many technologies and ever-changing legal framework as our world changes, where data continues to be the new frontier.”
3Consulting offers comprehensive and seamless data protection services, “by removing the need to look beyond our one-stop shop”, Eso says.
“3Consulting, with our legal partner, is offering a very experienced team that has a wealth of knowledge and experience working on Global data protection regulations. Our Consultants have technology, data and legal background which cover both technology and legal requirements”, according to the company’s CEO.
In moving toward compliance, Eso says that 3Consulting helps organisations navigate the technical terrains of Gap Analysis; Data flow Audit; Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA); Contract and Legal advisory; Data Protection & Privacy solutions; Breach Management as a service; Data Protection Officer (DPO) as a service; In-House training and staff awareness to clients.
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