Data Privacy Day
January 28: Data Privacy Day
A Brief History of Data Privacy Day
Data Privacy Day, celebrated annually on January 28th, highlights the importance of protecting personal information in our increasingly digital world. It originated in Europe in 1981 with the signing of Convention 108, the first legally binding international treaty focused on data protection. Over time, this initiative expanded globally, becoming an awareness campaign in countries like the United States and Canada. Today, it’s a global reminder of the critical role privacy plays in fostering trust between individuals and organisations.
Human Risk Management: The Key to Staying Protected
While technology plays a big role in safeguarding data, human error remains the number one cause of data breaches. From clicking on phishing emails to improperly sharing sensitive information, unintentional mistakes can expose personal and organisational data to risks. By empowering employees to act as security champions, organisations can reduce these risks significantly.
Practical tips for managing human risk:
- Encourage employees to think critically before sharing personal or organisational information.
- Implement strong data classification practices, so employees understand what can and cannot be shared.
- Promote the use of encryption and secure channels when transferring sensitive data.
The Role of Security Awareness Training
Building a strong data privacy culture requires ongoing education and awareness. Security training helps employees recognise risks, avoid pitfalls, and embrace their role in protecting sensitive data. Tailored privacy-focused training can:
- Help employees identify phishing attempts targeting personal or organisational data.
- Teach best practices for password management and access control.
- Raise awareness of emerging threats, such as social engineering techniques designed to bypass privacy safeguards.
By integrating human risk management and security training, organisations can create a workforce that is not only privacy-conscious but also actively contributes to a safer, more secure digital environment.
How we can help
Contact TSC today to learn about our new Human Risk Management Platform. The platform has a huge suite of learning resources and can include bespoke learning to focus on the specific risks your organisation faces.
TSC's vast library of awareness materials are perfect for Data Privacy Day:
Animations
- Data protection by design (180 seconds)
- Data minimisation (120 seconds)
eLearning courses
- Data breaches and near misses (10 minutes)
- Data protection by design (20 minutes)
Games
- Classifications: Higher or Lower?
- Safety Net
GIFS
- Data privacy lifecycle
- Protecting my identity
Infographics
- Defend our data
- Data lifecycle
Ready to kick-start your campaign schedule? Get in touch with TSC today.
Relevant (free!) resources
Why choose TSC
Essential and engaging
Bite-sized training to reduce cognitive fatigue
Scenario-based activities
See how we can help you protect your organisation today?
Stay up-to-date with The Insider
Our services
Company
Resources
Explore
© The Security Company (International) Limited 2025
Office One, 1 Coldbath Square, London, EC1R 5HL, UK
Company registration No: 3703393
VAT No: 385 8337 51
