APDCAT promotes the first learning and collaboration network of data protection officers in Catalonia

Catalonia will host the first learning and collaboration network of data protection officers (DPO) throughout the country. This was stated today by the director of the Catalan Data Protection Authority (APDCAT), Meritxell Borràs, at the University of Lleida (UdL), at a conference on data protection in Catalan universities.

During his speech, Borràs highlighted that the APDCAT is working on the design of the new network, which will function as a learning and collaboration community to bring together DPOs from the public sector in Catalonia, to promote the exchange of knowledge and experience, training and awareness and take advantage of synergies. It will be a "living" tool, which will be modeled with mutual work, exchange and the concerns and needs that arise.

The network will be configured from specific communities created based on specific institutional and thematic areas, such as health, education, local area, professional associations area, Generalitat area and university area, among others. Precisely, the objective is that the specific community that will bring together the DPO of the university field is the first to start up, with the support of the Catalan universities.

The figure of the DPO must exist in all public organizations, in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation, and is responsible for ensuring that the norm is complied with within the organizations. Currently, the APDCAT has registered more than 1,600 DPOs from public organizations in Catalonia, of which half a thousand are part of the organization.

The director insisted that DPOs must be aware of the fundamental role they have in defending the rights and freedoms of citizens. She has also asked organizations for responsibility and commitment, when it comes to providing them with the time and resources necessary to adequately carry out this essential task. In addition, she has stressed that they must involve the DPD in strategic decisions, so that they can advise them in all phases of the projects and minimize risks.

Borràs has announced the creation of the new network within the framework of a conference on data protection in Catalan universities, which has been organized by the Consortium of University Services of Catalonia (CSUC) and which has been held at the University of Lleida. The conference, which also included the participation of the UdL's rector, Jaume Puy, addressed data protection in university research activities and with regard to students.

Data protection in Catalan universities

On the other hand, the director Meritxell Borràs has advanced other initiatives that the APDCAT has underway to improve data protection in the university environment, such as the third edition of the Specialized training course for DPD, which will take place next year directed especially to the DPO of the university world. She also conducts practical workshops, to delve into specific aspects that allow the best application of the standard to defend the rights and freedoms of citizens in terms of data protection.