Split Views Among Indian Privacy Pros: 50% Satisfied with Budgets, 33% Predicting Decreases in the Year Ahead

"As Data Privacy Day Approaches, Over Half of Indian Organizations Report Ease in Grasping Privacy Obligations, Reveals Latest ISACA Research"

The survey, which included responses from over 1,300 professionals globally (including 71 from India), delved into various privacy aspects such as staffing, organization structure, policies, budgets, and training. Notably, 62% of Indian respondents expressed high confidence in their organization's privacy team, foreseeing their ability to ensure data privacy and compliance with emerging regulations.

Around the world, privacy laws have changed and evolved during the past year, from Brazil's General Data Protection Law to India's Personal Data Protection Bill. The results of ISACA's Privacy in Practice 2024 survey show that most respondents (62 percent) are very or extremely confident in their organization's privacy team's ability to ensure data privacy and achieve compliance with new privacy laws and regulations, and half of the respondents (51 percent) based in India say their organisations find it easy to understand their privacy obligations.Privacy Challenges in India:

• 51% believe their privacy budget is appropriately funded.
• 42% anticipate a budget increase in the upcoming year, while 32% expect a decrease.
• Top obstacles include a lack of competent resources (44%), a complex international legal landscape (35%), and managing risks associated with new technologies (35%).

In-demand Roles and Skills:

• Technical privacy positions are in highest demand (75%).
• Legal/compliance roles closely follow, with 73% anticipating increased demand.
• Skills gaps exist, with 58% pointing to the lack of experience with different technologies and applications as a significant challenge.

Common Privacy Failures:

• Non-compliance with laws and regulations (44%).
• Data breach/leakage (42%).
• Not practicing privacy by design (41%).

Mitigating Challenges:

• 61% are training non-privacy staff to transition into privacy roles.
• 45% are relying on credentials to attest to subject matter expertise.

Assessing Privacy Programs:

• 68% perform privacy risk assessments.
• 61% conduct privacy impact assessments (PIAs).
• 46% undergo privacy audits/assessments.
• 41% perform privacy self-assessments.

Global Insights:

• 86% globally provide privacy awareness training for employees.
• Top privacy controls include identity and access management (74%), encryption (73%), and data security (72%).

Privacy by Design Advantage:

• Organizations practicing privacy by design experience key advantages, such as a more appropriately staffed technical privacy department, stronger board prioritization of privacy, and a belief that privacy programs go beyond mere compliance.

Despite challenges, 63% of global organizations report no material privacy breaches in the past 12 months, with 16% expecting one in the next year. The survey underscores the value of privacy by design in navigating the complex and evolving landscape of global privacy regulations."