Protect Your Project, Beneficiary, and Donor Information

In a world where everything is shared, digitized and connected, protecting information has become an essential need for those who lead social projects. And it is not only a matter of meeting a standard: it is about respecting the dignity of each person who trusts us.

So, at SIGUE Network we open this space to talk, in clear language, about protection of personal data What they are, why they matter and how you can take care of this information from your foundation, NGO or community initiative.

What are personal data and why should you care?

Although it seems obvious, we often don’t stop to think about what it means to be “personal data.” It’s any information that identifies one person or that, by combining with another, allows identifying one.
We talk about your name, your card, your phone number, your email address, a photo. And in the case of social projects, they can also include more sensitive data such as your health status, family situation or socioeconomic level.

These data aren't yours, they're the people who trusted you.

And as an organization, you have the ethical (and legal) responsibility to protect them.

How do we collect this information in the day to day?

You may not have noticed, but personal data comes to you at very common times:

• When a person enrolls in your program
• When you participate in an activity or event
• When you fill out a form on your website or networks
• When he calls or writes on WhatsApp
  

That's why it's so important that, from the first contact, your organization clearly explains what does it need that information for? and obtain written and transparent authorization.

And why do we use that data?

In most organizations, data are used to:

• Managing participation in programmes
• Reporting on activities, benefits or opportunities
• Comply with legal requirements or reports to control entities
  

All of this is appropriate when handled responsibly. SIGUE Network never shares, sells, or rents personal information to third parties without authorization.

Your impact cannot be built on the digital vulnerability of others.

How to protect the information you already have?

Here are some good practices you can start applying:

• Create a Data protection policy clear and accessible
• Use digital systems with secure passwords and limited access
• Train your team on good information management
• Establish a channel where people can exercise their rights over their data
  

Security is not just software. It's a culture.

What rights do people have about their data?

Your beneficiaries, donors and volunteers are entitled to:

• Knowing what information your organization has about them
• Correct incorrect or outdated data
• Request that your data be deleted if no longer required
• Revocation of your authorization when you so wish
  

If your organization does not have a mechanism to respond to these requests, it is time to create it.

Some practical tips for your day to day

• Never share your passwords or notes in visible places
• Distrust of emails or messages requesting confidential information
• Don't share data from other people via social media
• Always review the privacy policies of the digital platforms you use in your NGO
  

Remember: The best way to protect your project is to protect those who make it possible.

In short...

Protect personal data is not a technical task unique to the system team It is an act of responsibility that involves everyone. As social leaders, we have the opportunity (and the duty) to be an example in the ethical management of information.

Because taking care of the information is to take care of the impact.

Thank you for trusting SIGUE Network.
We continue to build, together, transformed communities: with transparency, trust and purpose.