Latest News

Anyone involved in the security and confidentiality of company data has to understand how to maintain compliance. CyberUnlocked can help you train your staff in Privacy Act compliance best practices.

Privacy Act Compliance Doesn’t Just Apply To Your IT Team…

Does your entire staff understand the role they play in compliance with the Privacy Act?

The fact is that anyone that can affect the privacy of protected data has to make sure they’re doing their part to maintain compliance. After all, this compliance system covers all types of personal information—including the information that your HR department manages as a part of their recruiting, hiring, training and compensation tasks. 

While your senior leadership and IT staff may understand how to maintain compliance with the Privacy Act, that may not be the case for your HR team. That’s why you need to ensure they know the role they play as well. 

Privacy Act 101

All private sector organisations that generate $3 million or more on an annual basis must comply with the Act. Furthermore, some sectors such as healthcare are covered regardless of their annual turnover. 

While a range of types of information is covered by the Privacy Act, in essence, it refers to all “personal information”. That is, any information related to an identified or reasonably identifiable individual.

A breach has occurred when there has been unauthorised access to or disclosure of personal information which poses a likely risk of serious harm to affected individuals. In the event of a breach, you are legally required to notify the Office of Information Commissioner (OAIC) and affected individuals. This means drafting and disseminating a statement regarding the breach. 

How Much Will Noncompliance Cost You?

One unaware member of your HR department can do a lot of damage. Individuals found responsible for a breach can face penalties of up to $420,000. Organisations can be fined as much as $2.1 million.

Is Privacy Act Compliance A Lot Of Work? 

Yes, it can be, if you handle it independently. But it’s necessary—it’s designed to protect consumers and allow you to continue to make the most of modern business advantages in the digital age. 

The good news is that you don’t have to handle this alone. By working with a security company like CyberUnlocked, you can make sure you have the skills and knowledge you need to stay compliant. 

While you may have never had to worry about this type of compliance with your HR team before, our team has the experience needed to assist in your analysis and updates to help you get in line and avoid big fines.

Get in touch with our team today to get started.