Since the enactment of Law Number 27 of 2022 concerning Personal Data Protection (UU PDP), awareness of the importance of safeguarding personal data has begun to surface. However, one major challenge still looms over many organizations: treating data protection as merely a legal or IT issue.
In fact, most data breaches occur at the lowest levels. For example, staff sending documents to the wrong email address, storing customer data on personal laptops without encryption, or sharing files via free platforms without adequate security. These small issues can create significant vulnerabilities for data breaches.
More crucially, data breaches not only have legal repercussions but also affect reputation. In today's digital landscape, a single incident can erode public trust and business partner relationships. This risk cannot be mitigated solely through internal policies. It requires a data-conscious culture that grows from the operational level.
Building such a culture starts with education. Providing simple understanding to employees about what personal data is, why it needs to be protected, and what safe work practices look like. Not in the form of lengthy documents that are rarely read, but through interactive approaches that touch on their daily work routines.
Because ultimately, the most effective data protection does not come from the most advanced systems, but from individuals who are aware of what they are safeguarding.