A new online tool allows governments to measure their risk of privacy breaches.

The self-assessment tool, released by the NSW Information and Privacy Commission (IPC), helps government agencies to weigh up compliance with privacy and information access regulations.

The IPC in NSW launched the online tool on Tuesday in a bid to improve the integrity of citizen data.

The tool comes in two forms – as an Information Access Self-Assessment Tool and a Privacy Self-Assessment Tool.

Information Commissioner, Elizabeth Tydd said the tool gives agencies a suite of resources including the ability to assess compliance, access IPC guidance, generate dashboard reports and develop plans to boost compliance.

“The tools will facilitate self-assessment of the privacy, information access, information management and governance practices of the organisations efficiently fulfilling IPC’s role of improving privacy awareness and management throughout NSW,” she said.

“The adoption of an open access and open data culture within government and by agencies requires a cultural shift – from controlling and shielding information to releasing it and allowing others to use it. This must be supported by a governance framework that is committed to an open access/data culture.”

The tool is aimed at fostering a culture of transparency and openness within agencies around the use of citizen data, she says.

“Leaders occupy an important role in promoting awareness and fostering an organisational culture that advances sound information governance.

“The tools provide dashboard reports to ensure that leaders are able to assess information governance maturity within their organisations and support a commitment to action that will ensure compliance with privacy and information access requirements.”

The tools can be accessed here.

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