Empowering Businesses with Data Privacy Compliance: Key Takeaways from PCQuest’s DPDPA Workshop

On November 20, 2024, PCQuest, along with SM Consulting, and Fortinet, hosted a workshop on the Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA) 2023. It wasn’t just another seminar with jargon-heavy talks—it was a no-nonsense, hands-on event designed to help professionals get a grip on data privacy compliance. With laws tightening and penalties looming, businesses can’t afford to be in the dark.

Why This Workshop Matters

Data privacy laws are no longer something you can leave for “later.” India’s DPDPA 2023 is here, and it’s serious business. Think of it as the GDPR’s cousin—focused on transparency, accountability, and protecting personal data. For companies, it’s not just about avoiding fines; it’s about staying in the game.

This was the “aha moment” for many participants: realizing how DPDPA is India stepping onto the global stage of data protection.

Breaking Down DPDPA Without the Gobbledygook

Experts like Ms. Vasanthika Srinath, Legal Consultant, SM Consulting, SP Arya, Senior Partner, SM Consulting and Sameer Mathur, Managing Partner, SM Consulting, didn’t just lecture—they demystified the act. Here’s what stood out:

- Who’s on the hook? Data fiduciaries (companies handling your data) need to tighten their belts.
- Phased rollout: It’s not all dropping at once, so businesses have some breathing room.
- Penalties: You snooze, you lose—a lot. Fines aren’t small change.

"Imagine locking your door every night but leaving your windows wide open." That’s how Rohit Sobti, Regional Sales Manager at Fortinet for India, Nepal, and Bhutan, described India’s cybersecurity preparedness at a recent event. With 900 million internet users and a cybersecurity market expected to grow to $2.32 billion by 2024, India’s digital transformation is impressive—but far from risk-free.

Fortinet’s solutions, Sobti shared, aim to simplify these challenges with AI-driven security, smarter tools, and approaches like Zero Trust. "It’s not about trusting less—it’s about verifying more. Trust is fine; blind trust, not so much," he quipped, drawing nods and a few chuckles from the audience.

DPDPA Workshops That Got to the Point

No fluff, no filler—just straight-up practical insights.

1. Privacy Risk Assessments Made Simple

Participants tackled Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs). It’s basically the “health check-up” for your data practices. Spotting gaps and plugging them before things go south became the theme here.

2. Consent Without the Confusion

Designing Consent Management Platforms (CMPs) that are both user-friendly and legally compliant sounds tricky, but this session boiled it down. Real-world examples showed how to strike the balance between giving users control and meeting legal mandates.

3. Privacy by Design: Building It Right

This wasn’t just about systems—it was about mindset. Attendees explored ways to bake privacy into their processes from Day One instead of scrambling to fix things later.

4. Cybersecurity: The Unseen Guard

AI-driven tools were front and center here, showcasing how advanced systems can keep businesses ahead of evolving threats. It’s not sci-fi—it’s smart planning.

Discussion That Didn’t Pull Punches

The discussions went deep into the tug-of-war between compliance and real-world business needs. A few hot takes:
- Winning over management to back privacy projects isn’t impossible—start by showing the ROI.
- Data privacy isn’t just a cost center; it’s a way to win trust and loyalty.
- Don’t be shy about seeking external expertise. Sometimes, you need a guide to avoid stepping on a regulatory landmine.

Key Lessons You Can’t Ignore

1. Actionable Insights
Attendees left armed with templates, tools, and techniques to get started. No vague “best practices”—just real steps.

2. Think Bigger
India’s DPDPA doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Comparing it with GDPR and CCPA made it clear that businesses need to look globally while acting locally.

3. Cybersecurity Isn’t Optional
In today’s world, data privacy without cybersecurity is like locking your front door but leaving the windows wide open.

4. Privacy as a Power Move
Compliance isn’t just a checkbox—it’s a selling point. Show customers you value their privacy, and they’ll stick around.

The Road Ahead

The PCQuest DPDPA Workshop wasn’t just an event—it was a wake-up call. Data privacy is here to stay, and businesses that treat it as an opportunity rather than a hurdle will thrive. This is about more than staying out of trouble; it’s about building trust in a world where data is the new currency.