When Hurricane Melissa, a devastating Category 5 Hurricane struck Jamaica, the value of this partnership became immediately clear.  Demand for social services surged overnight, and organizations were forced to act quickly under immense pressure.  

In CVSS' case, a volunteer registry was rapidly created to coordinate relief and recovery efforts.  Within days, personal data relating to more than 7,000 individuals had been collected - including information that, in some instances, was sensitive in nature.  

Amid the urgency of disaster response, uncertainty emerged.  How should this information be handled?  What safeguards were required?  And how could organizations remain compliant while responding at speed?  

What became evident was this:  data protection does not pause in a crisis - it becomes more critical. 

Protecting Privacy in Times of Peril resonated strongly, attracting over 300 participants across the NGO, private and public sectors, affirming a shared understanding that data protection becomes even more critical during national crises.  A clear takeaway from the discussion was that this conversation cannot be a one-off - it must continue as recover efforts evolve.

The dialogue extended beyond the webinar, with key insights features in the national media, helping to reinforce the role of privacy, trust and accountability in disaster response.  Selected press coverage and the official Securys press release are linked below.  

In response, Securys and CVSS translated insight into action through the Securys-CVSS Community Kit, providing practical guidance for organizations managing personal data in emergency situations, alongside education for data subjects on their rights during relief efforts.  This kit is freely available to download, share and use across any organization, ensuring that access to good privacy practises is not limited by resources or circumstances.

As part of this ongoing commitment, all webinar participants were offered a complimentary 30-minute Privacy Check-Up with Securys, supporting immediate risk assessment while strengthening business continuity and organizational resilience.  Securys and CVSS also intend to continue this dialogue through future webinars and engagements, ensuring that privacy remains central as recovery and rebuilding efforts unfold. 

This is Privacy with Purpose - a living commitment to protect people, support institutions, and help Jamaica move forward with trust, care and resilience.