Introduction
India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023 (DPDPA) has now been brought into force, marking a major shift in how companies handle personal data. For CISOs and boards, this makes cybersecurity not just a technical responsibility but a strategic and legal imperative. Companies, especially larger organizations, must now ensure both technical protection and regulatory compliance to safeguard sensitive data and avoid penalties.
Why Cybersecurity and the DPDP Act Matter at Board Level
- Cybersecurity is no longer just IT’s problem: Breaches can halt operations, leak customer data, and damage reputation. Boards must see cyber as a strategic business risk.
- DPDP Act adds a legal layer: Companies classified as Significant Data Fiduciaries (SDFs)—big organizations handling large volumes of sensitive data—face stricter obligations. Non-compliance can lead to regulatory scrutiny and reputational harm.
- Protects digital personal data: Ensures that companies collect, store, and use data responsibly, complementing cybersecurity efforts.
- Customer and investor trust: Strong data protection and cyber practices build trust and reduce business risk.
What Are Significant Data Fiduciaries (SDFs)?
- Who qualifies: Large companies handling huge volumes of personal data or sensitive information (e.g., social media, e-commerce, banking, healthcare, telecom).
- Why it matters: Mistakes or breaches in these companies can seriously affect people or national security.
- Extra obligations for SDFs under DPDP:
- Appoint a Data Protection Officer (DPO) based in India
- Conduct annual audits and Data Protection Impact Assessments
- Follow stricter rules on data security, retention, and cross-border transfers
Key Steps CISOs and Boards Should Take
- Map Your Data: Identify what digital personal data is collected, stored, and shared. Focus on sensitive or high-volume data handled by larger companies.
- Assess Your Status: Determine if your organization qualifies as a Significant Data Fiduciary under the DPDP Act. If yes, stricter compliance is mandatory.
- Strengthen Consent Management: Implement clear consent mechanisms, ensuring users can review or withdraw consent easily. Consider registered consent managers for large platforms.
- Update Security Measures: Use encryption, access controls, monitoring, and backups to prevent breaches. Cybersecurity tools must align with DPDP obligations.
- Prepare for Breach Reporting: Establish processes to notify the Data Protection Board immediately, with detailed follow-up within 72 hours. Prepare to inform affected users promptly.
- Review Data Retention Policies: Keep sensitive user data only as long as legally required—generally 1–3 years depending on your organization’s category.
- Ensure Board Oversight: CISOs should regularly brief the board on risks, controls, and compliance status. Boards must integrate cybersecurity into enterprise risk management.
- Focus on Vulnerable Users: Implement parental consent and age verification mechanisms for children’s data, as required under the DPDP Rules.
- Use a Compliance Toolkit: For SDFs, having a DPDPA toolkit with policies, SOPs, and checklists helps ensure proper implementation, audits, and regulatory readiness without missing critical steps.
Conclusion
India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023 makes cybersecurity a board-level responsibility, especially for Significant Data Fiduciaries. Boards and CISOs must now work together to:
- Protect sensitive digital data
- Ensure regulatory compliance for large organizations
- Build trust with customers, investors, and regulators
Ignoring cybersecurity or data protection is no longer an option. The boardroom, not just the server room, now defines whether an organization is resilient—or at risk.
Secure Your Organization’s Data with Prime Infoserv
Don’t wait for a breach or regulatory scrutiny to act. Prime Infoserv helps CISOs and boards navigate the DPDP Act, implement robust cybersecurity measures, and ensure full compliance as a Significant Data Fiduciary. Get in touch with us today to protect your data, your reputation, and your business. Fill the form & we will get in touch with you.
