The threats to data privacy in the AI era are legion. This presents a huge opportunity for communicators to demonstrate value by helping to educate employees about data security.
The threats to data privacy in the AI era are legion (see Part 1 of this blog). But this creates a huge opportunity for communicators to help educate employees about these risks and how to manage them. What’s more, privacy best practices also apply to employee’s personal lives, so there’s no question about ‘What’s In It For Me?’.
The dream team: Communications and Data Security
As organizations adopt AI tools, Communications should team up with Data Security to educate employees. Technical expertise, combined with a strategic communications approach and clear, simple messaging, can foster a culture of awareness and drive action.
Chances are, your Data Security partners are highly knowledgeable but may not be able to translate complex information into easily understandable language. Work with them to understand the challenges and data security best practices. Your communication skills will get employees to pay attention.
Know that when it comes to data security, it’s not a one-size-fits-all situation. All employees need to take data security seriously, but there are vastly different degrees of involvement and accountability depending on organizational level.
Shop floor employees will need different information from HR hiring managers or people who interact with customers. Collaborate with your Data Security partners to understand roles and responsibilities, then segment your audience and tailor your messaging accordingly.
Playing games with Data Privacy Week
The O’Keefe Group worked for a number of years with the Global Privacy team of a Fortune 100 healthcare company. Our most recent engagement for Data Privacy Week featured a multi-faceted campaign that included:
- An interactive ‘Wheel of Privacy’ game, offering a fun way to educate about privacy best practices
- High-impact infographics that provided user-friendly tips for ensuring data privacy at home and at work
- Case studies that brought privacy principles to life
- A communications toolkit, providing a turnkey approach for the Global Privacy team to engage with their stakeholders across regions
- Editable templates for expedited translation of materials into six languages
- A “surround sound” strategy that included multiple communications channels
Working with subject matter experts from the Data Privacy team, we were able to make complex and unfamiliar information engaging, motivating, and relevant. Most importantly, we helped to raise awareness and instill a proactive approach that every employee worldwide could use to safeguard personal and corporate data, ensure compliance, and avoid reputational damage and fines.
If you need a partner to help you communicate about data privacy, or if you’d like to organize some activities for next year’s Data Privacy Week, the O’Keefe Group is here to help.
