What is the DSPT?
The NHS Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT) is a mandatory framework for all organisations that handle NHS patient data. It is designed to ensure that all such organisations adhere to high data security and protection standards and provide a consistent approach to data governance across the NHS. The DSP Toolkit contains a range of policies and procedures that must be implemented to meet its requirements. These policies and procedures cover a range of areas, including:
- Information governance includes policies and procedures for ensuring that patient data is handled securely and appropriately and that authorised individuals only access it.
- Cybersecurity includes policies and procedures for protecting patient data from cyber-attacks and other unauthorised access or disclosure forms.
- Data protection includes policies and procedures for complying with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and other relevant data protection laws and regulations.
- Incident management includes policies and procedures for responding to data security incidents and breaches, including reporting and notification requirements.
What Is Required for the DSPT?
Organisations must have robust policies and procedures covering each area to comply with the Data Security and Protection Toolkit. These may include, for example, policies on password management, data retention and disposal, and access controls. It may also require implementing technical measures, such as firewalls and encryption, to protect patient data from unauthorised access or disclosure. Overall, the Data Security and Protection Toolkit is an essential framework for organisations that handle NHS patient data. Ensuring that robust policies and procedures are in place helps to protect the security and confidentiality of this sensitive information and to ensure that it is used only for the purposes for which it was collected.
How We Can Help
Our company offers a variety of standard, custom, and fully bespoke IT security policies. Please contact us using the form provided below for more information.
