ICO launches practitioner data protection excellence award

A new Practitioner Award for Excellence in Data Protection has been launched by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

Marking the 12 annual Data Protection Day (28 January), the award will recognise excellence in the field of information rights.

Data Protection Day this year has particular significance as the new General Data Protection Regulation – the GDPR – comes into effect in May and there should be a new Data Protection Act in force then too.

The ICO award will recognise those practitioners who go above and beyond when it comes to data protection. Contenders will likely be those who have shown inspiring data protection practice and leadership, particularly in the areas of accountability and privacy by design, and have made good use of the resources available from the ICO to help organisations live up to their obligations and inspire public trust and confidence in how they handle personal information.

Elizabeth Denham, Information Commissioner, commented: "As we approach the GDPR and new UK law taking effect, it has been clear there are many success stories out there when it comes to individuals embedding a positive data protection culture in their organisation.

"I look forward to announcing the winner at our annual Data Protection Practitioner’s Conference on 9 April."

More details about the awards and how to enter can be found here. The closing date is 28 February 2018.