Data protection refers to the legal and operational frameworks designed to safeguard personal and sensitive data from misuse, loss, or unauthorised access. In the UK, data protection is governed primarily by the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018, which outline the responsibilities organisations must uphold when collecting, storing, or sharing personal data.
The core objective is to ensure that individuals’ information is handled lawfully, fairly, and transparently, maintaining confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data. This means limiting access to authorised personnel, ensuring accuracy, protecting against breaches, and disposing of data securely when no longer needed.
Data protection is not merely a legal requirement — it is a professional duty, essential to preserving public trust and institutional credibility.
