Ouagadougou - The Commission for Information Technology and Liberties (CIL) in Burkina Faso organized an awareness seminar this Thursday, focusing on the protection of personal data. The event targeted administrative authorities across the North-Central, Central Plateau, and Sahel regions, highlighting the importance of data security during ongoing security challenges.
According to Burkina Information Agency, president of the CIL, the seminar, themed 'Protection of personal data in a context of security crisis: challenges and perspectives', was designed to instill best practices for data protection among decentralized administrative authorities. The event was attended by governors, provincial high commissioners, prefects, and presidents of special delegations, as well as heads of decentralized administrative services from the targeted regions. The discussions emphasized the legal and institutional frameworks for personal data protection, specifically referencing law n°001-2021/AN from March 30, 2021, which governs the treatment of personal data.
Participants expressed positive feedback about the seminar's impact. Gustave Boro, a prefect and president of the special delegation (PDS) of Diguel in the Sahel, noted the seminar's timeliness and relevance, especially given the current security situation. Adama Conseiga, High Commissioner of the province of Namentenga, shared insights on the professional and personal learnings from the seminar, such as managing information databases and enhancing personal security on social media. Aminata Sorgho/Gouba, High Commissioner of the province of Ganzourgou, remarked on the practical applications of the knowledge gained in handling requests for personal data.
Blaise Ouédraogo, governor of the Center-North region, underscored the strategic importance of ICT, predicting that future conflicts may be dominated by digital superiority. He urged the seminar's attendees to become advocates for data protection in their respective roles.
In her closing remarks, Nassa/Trawina was pleased with the engagement and the issues addressed during the seminar but cautioned the participants to remain vigilant. "We must be vigilant in our daily administrative practices so as not to harm others by disclosing personal information that could jeopardize privacy," she emphasized.