Northern Ireland Data Protection Update 2024

Northern Ireland Data Protection Update 2024

Legal Island's annual Northern Ireland Data Protection Update in association with Pinsent Masons is specifically designed to provide you with a comprehensive overview of the data protection issues that matter to HR professionals and employers in Northern Ireland.

We set out the most important data protection risks and solutions facing employers and provide practical examples and solutions for you to implement in your organisation immediately.

After attending you will:

  • Have received a comprehensive update on data protection developments that affect employers in the UK.
  • Heard directly from the ICO on their priorities and key learnings for 2024.
  • Will have had ample time to question the data protection experts.
  • Our sessions will be recorded (with full participant DP permissions!) so that you can watch back after the event and check your understanding of developments.

Who is it for?

This event is aimed at employers and HR professionals with data protection responsibilities and concerns.

When & Where?

This event will take place online between 9.15am and 1.00pm on the 29th May 2024

Price

Standard Rate: £245 + VAT

Save an additional £20 when you book and pay online when booking.

 

In association with:

Programme

Time 

Session 

9.15 

Welcome and Introduction: Christine Quinn, Legal Island 

9.30 

Mastering Data Management 

Discover the essential principles for managing data effectively.  

Anna Flanagan of Pinsent Masons will provide practical guidance on: 

  • DSARS - legal requirements and best practice. 
  • Addressing deletion requests. 
  • Establishing Data Sharing Agreements. 
  • Conducting thorough Data Audits for comprehensive data management. 

10.00 

Q&A with Anna Flanaghan 

10.10 

Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) Update 2024 

Paula Hamilton, Senior Policy Officer at the Information Commissioner’s Office,  provides an update on the important data protection trends and developments direct from the ICO, including: 

  • The latest ICO guidance  
  • The ICO’s priorities for 2024/25 
  • Trends in personal data breaches 
  • Preparing for the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill 

10.45 

Q&A with Paula Hamilton 

10.55 

Refreshment Break

Get a cup of something, take a break from the screen, catch up on emails, whatever… 

11.05 

Workplace monitoring: the new normal? 

There's some debate around this issue, but do we simply accept workforce surveillance as inevitable? During the pandemic, numerous employers ramped up monitoring efforts to understand remote work patterns and monitor productivity. With many organisations transitioning away from remote work, monitoring is now employed to regulate workplace attendance. But should you be doing this? And if so, how do you do it lawfully? 

Anna Flanagan of Pinsent Masons delves into the latest ICO guidance for employers regarding lawful monitoring of workers and explains the significance of adhering to the following: 

  1. The meaning of ‘lawful basis’. 

  1. What is ‘special category data’? And how should it be lawfully processed? 

  1. Fairness’ of data processing and capture. 

  1. The importance of ‘data minimisation’. 

  1. Data security and access to collected data. 

  1. Use of third-party processors. 

  1. ‘Data Protection Impact Assessments’ (DPIAs). 

  1. DSARs. 

11.35 

Q&A with Anna Flanagan 

11.45 

Generative Artificial Intelligence and Data Protection 

AI is the topic that is simply not going to go away. Its importance will only grow, so equip yourself with the best information to understand the opportunities and challenges it presents.  

As workers increasingly utilise GenAI tools for work, organisations MUST establish clear policies for proper use and oversight to prevent misuse of personal information (and a hefty fine and the loss of reputation that accompanies an ICO investigation or court case). Indeed, the ICO launched a consultation on AI in January 2024 examining how aspects of data protection law should apply to the development and use of the technology. We bring you the latest developments.  

Digital TransformationExpert, Kieran Gilmurray will explain and demo how AI works, while Laura Gillespie of Pinsent Masons highlights the data protection issues you may encounter and offers advice on how to mitigate the risks to maximise the benefits of this new technology. 

12.25 

Q&A  

12.35 

Pinsent Masons’ Data Protection Round-Up 2024 

Laura Gillespie, Partner in Pinsent Masons and expert in regulatory enforcement, sets out the most important data protection risks and solutions facing employers and their organisations this year, including: 

  1. The Data Protection and Digital Information Bill is being hailed as the UK’s ‘business friendly’ version of GDPR –is it just a GDPR re-brand? Or will it make a difference? 

  1. Caselaw round-up including: 

  • Amazon case - French SA fined Amazon France Logistique €32 million 
  • FKJ v RVT & Ors [2023] EWHC 3 (KB) – following an employment tribunal, the Claimant filed a High Court claim, asserting misuse of private information. The Claimant argued a reasonable expectation of privacy as the messages contained information about her professional, social, and private life. 
  • Ms T Webb v London Underground Ltd 3306438/2021 – is it reasonable for an employer to rely on the content of private Facebook posts for disciplinary purposes, considering the Article 8 ECHR right to private life?
  • UI v Österreichische Post AG - Non-material damage resulting from unlawful processing of data. 

1.15 

Q&A with Laura Gillespie  

1.25 

Summary and Close  

Testimonials

 “It was very informative and up to date with all the information provided. All information was also relevant for my business that I can now deliver back to the wider team.”
Bronagh Kearney, Titanic Belfast

“Great speakers. Practical updates, not just theory.
Siobhan Weiniger, Director of Finance, MindWise

“Pace, length and content of all sections of the webinar were excellent.  Very knowledgeable speakers.”
Caireen Toal, HR Manager, Unicorn Group

"Helpful, informative and held my interest throughout! It was "pacey" and delivered in bite-sized chunks with a break in between which allowed my attention span to be re-set each time - I thought that was clever! "
Jonathan Young, DPO, Ards & North Down Borough Council

"Excellent update on Data Protection, with knowledgeable presenters. Good pace, overall very good."
Gwyneth Evans, HR Manager, Ryobi Aluminium Casting (UK) Ltd

"Wealth of information speakers had and case study examples."
Melissa Moffett, HR Assistant, Kilwaughter Minerals Ltd

"DSARS and Retention discussions was useful as relevant to current activity. Same with the ICO activity as couple of the topics prompted consideration I things I need to be considering."
John Hart, Compliance Manager, Danske Bank UK

Presenters


  • Anna Flanagan
    Anna Flanagan Senior Associate
    Pinsent Masons

    Anna has experience of advising on information law with a focus on data protection in both contentious and non-contentious forums. She has experience of liaising directly with the Information Commissioner's Office on behalf of clients and she often delivers training sessions to Boards and Senior Management Teams on data protection compliance.

  • Kieran Gilmurray
    Kieran Gilmurray Digital Transformation Expert
    Kieran Gilmurray

    Kieran Gilmurray is the author of the book “The A-Z of Organizational Digital Transformation.” He is regularly ranked as one of the top global experts Automation, Data Analytics, Brand Influencers and Business Technology Innovators.

    Kieran is a senior executive with 28+ years of experience leading digital transformations for businesses. He has been a director, board member, research fellow and advisor to multiple international companies.

  • Laura Gillespie
    Laura Gillespie Partner
    Pinsent Masons

    Laura Gillespie is a Partner in the Pinsent Masons Litigation & Regulatory team and heads the Regulatory Compliance team in Northern Ireland, with a particular specialism in data protection and cyber security.  Laura supports clients in managing data protection compliance, including DSARS, policies and international transfers as well as contentious issues such as cyber breaches and compensation claims.  

  • Paula Hamilton
    Paula Hamilton Senior Policy Officer
    Information Commissioner's Office

    Paula Hamilton is a Senior Policy Officer at the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), and is based in the Northern Ireland regional office. A law graduate of University of Ulster, Paula spent some time in the legal profession, before moving on to the regulatory sector.  She has spent the last seven years at the ICO, engaging with Northern Ireland stakeholders from various sectors on their data protection compliance.

Event details

Duration

9.15am - 1pm

Date

29 May 2024

Location

Online - Zoom

Price

Standard Rate: £245 

Save an additional £20 when you pay by credit or debit card online at the time of booking.