The Maastricht University Data Protection as a Corporate Social Responsibility (UM-DPCSR) Coordinator & Auditor Course equips participants with the knowledge and skills to effectively apply the UM-DPCSR Framework and audit the compliance of adhering organisations. Over the course of two days (for coordinators) or three days (for auditors), participants will learn how ESG relates to data protection and data security, gain an in-depth understanding of the Framework, how it can be complied with, and how compliance should be evaluated. The UM-DPCSR Framework is the world’s first auditable Framework that translates theoretical, ethical principles into concrete guidance that can be followed by organisations to valorise their data protection compliance efforts and contribute to developing a more fair, trustworthy, secure, and sustainable digital society. 

Comprised of 5 principles, 25 rules, and 44 auditable controls, adherence to the UM-DPCSR Framework increases trust among consumers, is seen as an accountability measure by DPAs, and has the potential to increase ESG scores.

Privacy and data security compliance are not merely legal issues. Increasingly, European (EU) DPAs are calling for the public to consider data protection as a part of ESG and CSR.

In December 2023, the Vice President of the Dutch Data Protection Authority published a press release confirming this by stating that:

Privacy ties in with an important theme: corporate social responsibility… Companies are increasingly showing that they are concerned with sustainability, working conditions of factory workers or the impact of business operations on climate and the environment. More attention to privacy fits well with this… Companies are using more and more data from more and more people, also due to increasing digitalization. Of course, digitalization offers opportunities, but it also comes with privacy risks. By actively showing as a company how you deal with these risks, you can gain trust.