In a progressive step towards strengthening data privacy in educational institutions, a new questionnaire has been published targeting school Data Privacy Officers (DPOs). The questionnaire aims to assess the digital skills and competencies required for effective data management and responsible use of digital competence, as outlined in DigCompEdu. This initiative serves to address the growing need for educational roles to acquire essential knowledge regarding data literacy and the responsible handling of digital competence.
As part of this comprehensive endeavor, a questionnaire is published to enable auto-assessment and process mapping in data academic management, particularly focusing on data fragility. By identifying the existing gaps and flaws in data treatment processes, the tool will raise awareness about data fragility issues and help detect privacy gaps in data academic management. The objectives of the tool are as follows:
- Analyze data literacy proficiency: Evaluate participants’ proficiency in data literacy, particularly regarding policies, actions, and processes that ensure the privacy, security, and confidentiality of students’ data.
- Map data academic management processes: Provide a comprehensive overview of data academic management processes with a specific emphasis on data protection.
- Identify flaws and gaps in data treatment processes: Uncover weaknesses and gaps in current data treatment processes, enabling schools to address them proactively.
- Detect digital skills and competency needs: Identify areas where additional digital skills, competencies, and knowledge are required to mitigate data fragility issues in data academic management.
The questionnaire, designed specifically for Data Privacy Officers (DPOs), takes into account their pivotal role in ensuring data privacy within schools. The dimensions of Processes and Agreements and data compliance will be considered to evaluate the following aspects:
- Comprehensive understanding of data privacy laws, regulations, and best practices, particularly in the educational context.
- Ability to develop, implement, and enforce data privacy policies and procedures that comply with relevant regulations.
- Knowledge of data privacy risk assessment and management techniques, and the ability to apply them in a school setting.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to educate and train staff and students on data privacy best practices.
This questionnaire for Data Privacy Officers represents a significant step toward empowering educational institutions to uphold data privacy and protection.
The questionnaire is available in different languages and can be downloaded from Zenodo’s project: SPADATAS DPO Questionnaire
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