Data protection management, including handling data access requests through either Freedom of Information (FOI) or Subject Access Requests (SARs) is critically important in the public sector. Data sharing is becoming more prominent, particularly as more and more organisations are increasingly embracing online data storage and integrated systems.

Managing data access requests effectively both improves an organisation’s reputation, by demonstrating openness, and provides accounability of public bodies, ensuring they are answerable for decisions and use of public funds. The handling of such access requests should be done securely, alowing for the safeguarding of sensitive personal or national information and avoiding data breaches as much as possible. Such breaches can cause significant damage and lead to serious consequences.

All public sector bodies in the UK must comply with legal frameworks such as:

• UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR): Individuals have the right to access their personal data held by public authorities. Mismanaging these requests can result in legal penalties or at the very least, investigations by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

• Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA): The public have the right to access recorded information held by public sector organisations and can make such a request under the act.

To meet these requirements, a well-managed data protection information sharing system helps prevent delays and bottlenecks in processing requests as well as reduces strain on what can often be already limited resources in the public sector. Even with the smaller teams, requests should be appropriately checked, managed and timely, ensuring deadlines are met.

iNetwork is hosting a FREE session as part of the ongoing Information Governance series of events. This event will specifically cover access request management for public sector organisations and will include guest speakers from both the ICO and ourselves at BLS Stay Compliant.

Date: 20th May 2025
Time: 2pm – 4pm
Location: TBC
Cost: Free to all in the public sector
Book: Online via this link

Book quickly as limited tickets remain!

iNetwork is a membership organisation aiming to provide support, foster innovation and enhance service delivery to all public sector organisations. They are based in Greater Manchester and hosted by Tameside Council.

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is the UK’s regulatory body for upholding information rights and data privacy. The Commissioner is John Edwards, who took up the role in 2022.