How can Boards get assurance over Data Protection Risk?

 

Boards gain assurance through independent advice, structured reporting, and evidence‑based compliance.

Why this matters

Assurance is not the absence of incidents, it is confidence that risks are known, managed, and evidenced.

The three pillars of assurance

  1. Visibility: A single view of GDPR risks and activities
  2. Independence: Objective DPO advice and challenge
  3. Evidence: Documented decisions and controls


What assurance looks like in practice

  • Regular board‑level GDPR reporting
  • Independent DPO input into key decisions
  • Auditable records of incidents and responses

The ICOs perspective

Regulators look for process maturity, not perfection.