Bulletproof’s range of cyber security, data protection and compliance services are your best defence against threats to your business. With nearly a decade of providing trusted security services, we’re continuing our mission of solving the greatest cyber security & compliance challenges through innovation and simplicity. Explore our range of services and find out how Bulletproof can help your business.
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Discover CREST penetration testing & continuous security
Internal & external infrastructure, network & system testing
Manage multiple tests & get external security assurance
Thoroughly assess your web apps & APIs for security flaws
Test your response to a simulated real-world cyber attack
All cloud platforms & services tested, including Azure & AWS
Test your human cyber defences with social engineering
Android, iOS & custom mobile application security testing
Find out more about penetration testing – what it is, when you need it, and why it’s a core component of any business. Discover how pen test helps with compliance, powers best practices, and helps your organisation win new business.
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Consultant-led support to meet all levels of DSPT submission
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Get peace of mind that your data protection is being managed by trusted, certified consultants. All Bulletproof data protection services are delivered by our highly trained, experienced and qualified staff.
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Experienced SOC 2 consultants, AICA audits & compliance automation platform
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Go beyond compliance with information security services that are designed to give real operational benefits to your business. All delivered by seasoned, certified Bulletproof security consultants.
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Discover how your business can identify & manage cyber threats
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Train and test your staff for security resilience, data protection & compliance
No matter what your cyber or compliance challenges, Bulletproof is here to help. We like to work with you as a trusted partner to solve problems, not sell services. No pressure tactics and no false promises.
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At Bulletproof we love to solve problems with simplicity & innovation. It’s our mission to make compliance & cyber security services accessible to all. We take pride in building and nurturing teams of exceptional talent, so we’re confident that our cyber security & compliance services are the best way to stay one step ahead of the hackers and protect your business.
Helping people solve their security challenges is what we do, so we’re always keen to hear from you, no matter what you have to say.
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Ayisha Bari
Find out what ransomware is, how attacks work & types of attack to help you get started with keeping ransomware out of your business.
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Every business that collects personal data via a website, app, or even via the phone/post will find that they need the skills and expertise of a Data Protection Officer at some point to ensure safe and confidential data processing. But what is a DPO exactly? Do you really need one? And what if you don’t want to hire someone full time? Read on to find out more about the roles and responsibilities of the DPO and when to hire one to secure your data.
A Data Protection Officer (DPO) is responsible for overseeing the processing of personal data for staff, customers or any other ‘data subjects’ (the people identified by the information) whose details are handled by the company.
DPOs bridge the gap between your company and data subjects as well as the ICO to ensure a reliable data protection and risk assessment strategy is in place, maintaining regulatory compliance and protecting the rights of data subjects.
In a nutshell, a DPO represents the interests of data subjects within your organisation. A Data Protection Officer’s role is varied and will inevitably include some or all the following:
The DPO also liaises between the company, data subjects, and regulatory bodies and is the point of contact for data subjects, with the responsibility for responding to Data Subject Access Requests (DSARs). DSARs especially can be a very time and resource intensive task for businesses who aren’t prepared. Engaging a Data Protection Officer can really help save time and cost by getting a DSAR process in place. The DPO will need to be registered with the ICO and their contact details will be made available to data subjects via a privacy notice which should be publicly accessible on the company website.
Additionally, DPOs are expected to stay up to date on the latest data privacy legislation and rulings by the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) for EU GDPR, the UK Government for UK GDPR, and other supervisory authorities.
Whilst DPOs must ensure that the correct policies and procedures are in place for securing personal data, they rely on other departments within the business such as IT, HR and Finance teams to ensure that this is carried out. The DPO advises – it's up to the other business units to enact the recommendations.
Since the introduction of GDPR, certain companies are legally required to have a DPO. For example, if you are a public authority or your core activities include large scale systematic monitoring of individuals and/or processing of data which refers to protected characteristics (gender, race, ethnicity and sexual orientation).
However, most companies will find that they will greatly benefit from a DPO, even if they don’t technically need one. Even engaging a DPO on a part-time basis will help enormously with data protection obligations under the GDPR – especially for maintaining a Records of Processing Activities (RoPA).
Data protection officers need an in depth understanding of GDPR, information technology and data security, which can be a challenging skillset to source.
The DPO can be hired internally, and companies will often look to Information Security and IT managers to fill the role. However, companies cannot hire multiple DPOs to cover the skills needed to carry out the role, and the chosen candidate would be required to relinquish any other responsibilities to avoid conflicts of interest and maintain impartiality.
DPOs also require a high level of autonomy to carry out the role such as:
While an existing member of staff could be appointed as a Data Protection Officer, this is rarely feasible due to conflicts of interest and the level of independence required to carry out the role. Plus, the specialise knowledge required to be a DPO precludes most staff members.
If hiring in a full time DPO from outside the business isn’t financially viable, then outsourcing the role is a popular alternative for many companies, especially startups and SMEs who only need to fill the role part time. Outsourcing the DPO is also a cost-effective staffing solution, as you only pay for specific tasks and working hours as required by the business.
The benefits of outsourcing the role of Data Protection Officer within your company go beyond simply saving on staffing costs:
Data Protection Officers hold responsibilities which are essential for maintaining compliance, but which often do not require a full-time working commitment. Because DPOs must operate independently from the business, outsourcing is a cost effective and practical solution for ensuring that this role is covered within your company, while meeting the legal obligations under the GDPR and in line with ICO requirements for securing data across your organisation.
Luke is Bulletproof’s Head of Compliance, and can often be found coming up with new, innovative, and entertaining ways to evolve our compliance services portfolio. His passion for compliance and business insights always comes through in his articles.
Get more information on Bulletproof’s outsourced DPO and to make an enquiry with us.
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For more information about how we collect, process and retain your personal data, please see our privacy policy.