New data protection issues brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic were discussed by Behnam Dayanim, partner and global chair of privacy and cybersecurity practice at Paul Hastings LLP, during a session at the RSAC 365 Virtual Summit.
With COVID-19 vaccines now being rolled out across the world, many organizations are preparing to enable the safe return of staff to their offices. In the view of Dayanim, it is important to question and challenge the storing of sensitive personal data related to this return. He cited a recent IAPP/EY study analyzing data collection by organizations of staff returning to physical work locations. Among the findings, 76% of organizations have asked employees to notify them if they are diagnosed with COVID-19, 53% asked staff about personal travel and 23% have taken temperature tests of employees. He asked: “Is there really a need to record that, or is it simply enough to know that you have that process in place?”