Building DPO Capacity for Effective Compliance Reporting
The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) is organising an expert-led Masterclass on Compliance Audit Returns (CAR) designed to strengthen the capacity of Data Protection Officers (DPOs) and other relevant data protection professionals to understand, prepare, review and effectively manage the Compliance Audit Returns process.
Understanding Compliance Audit Returns
Compliance Audit Returns (CAR) are formal returns submitted by organisations to the Nigeria Data Protection Commission to demonstrate their level of compliance with applicable data protection requirements. The process provides an important mechanism for organisations to assess their data protection practices, identify compliance gaps and provide the Commission with information necessary for regulatory oversight.
For many organisations, however, the CAR process presents practical challenges. DPOs may have responsibility for coordinating their organisation's data protection compliance but may not always have sufficient technical or practical knowledge of the requirements, methodology and documentation necessary to properly undertake the CAR process.
This is particularly important because organisations may engage Data Protection Compliance Organisations (DPCOs) licensed by the NDPC to provide professional support in data protection compliance activities, including assistance with the preparation and filing of Compliance Audit Returns. Effective compliance therefore requires DPOs to understand not only their own responsibilities but also how to work effectively with DPCOs, provide the necessary organisational information and critically review the compliance documentation and returns prepared with their support.
About the Masterclass
The NDPC Masterclass on Compliance Audit Returns (CAR) provides a practical and interactive learning environment where participants will learn directly from experts on the CAR process.
The Masterclass will go beyond a theoretical explanation of CAR. It will provide participants with practical guidance on how to approach the process, understand the information required, identify relevant compliance evidence, engage effectively with DPCOs and address common challenges that arise during the preparation and submission of returns.
Participants will also have the opportunity to engage directly with the experts, ask questions and seek clarification on areas of the CAR process that may be unclear or challenging in practice.
Objectives of the Masterclass
The Masterclass seeks to:
- Build practical understanding of the Compliance Audit Returns process and its regulatory purpose.
- Equip DPOs with the knowledge required to effectively coordinate their organisation's CAR process.
- Clarify the roles and responsibilities of organisations, DPOs and licensed DPCOs in the preparation and submission of CAR.
- Improve collaboration between DPOs and DPCOs by helping DPOs understand the information, evidence and organisational input required for an effective compliance exercise.
- Address common challenges and misconceptions associated with CAR preparation and filing.
- Provide practical guidance on identifying, organising and validating relevant compliance information and documentation.
- Create a platform for expert engagement, enabling participants to ask questions and obtain clarification on specific CAR-related issues.
- Promote accurate, meaningful and timely compliance reporting by organisations to the NDPC.
Who Should Attend?
The Masterclass is particularly relevant to:
- Data Protection Officers (DPOs);
- Privacy and data protection professionals;
- Compliance and risk officers;
- Legal and regulatory compliance professionals;
- Representatives of organisations responsible for coordinating CAR submissions; and
- Professionals who work with licensed DPCOs on data protection compliance activities.
