6 ways to make the most of Data Privacy Week
2026 is shaping up to be one of the most pivotal years yet for cybersecurity. Experts warn that the rapid industrialization of AI in cyberattacks, from autonomous malware to AI‑generated vulnerabilities and nearly undetectable deepfakes, is redefining the threat landscape at record speed. Ransomware incidents are projected to escalate further, with AI accelerating both intrusion and data exfiltration, while adversaries increasingly leverage autonomous, agentic systems to scale attacks far beyond human speed and precision.
At the same time, defenders must prepare for identity‑centric attacks, nation‑state espionage campaigns, and the growing risk of prompt‑injection exploits targeting enterprise AI systems. As organizations adopt more AI‑driven defense tools and cloud‑native architectures, the pressure to strengthen data governance and privacy safeguards will only intensify.
That’s why Data Privacy Week matters more than ever. Promoted internationally, it highlights just how valuable — and vulnerable — personal and organizational data has become. But the impact you get from this crucial awareness week depends on the action you take. In this guide, we’ll break down:
- What Data Privacy Week is, and when it’s happening
- Key ways to make the most of Data Privacy Week
- How to go from Data Privacy Week to better cybersecurity in 2025 and beyond
What is Data Privacy Week?
Data Privacy Week is a week-long international effort to encourage both people and businesses to put privacy, data security and trust first. It promotes essential tactics like managing privacy settings, making informed decisions about data and respecting consumer privacy.
Corporations participating in Data Privacy Week can expect a trove of resources to help them integrate these principles more effectively into their data management practices.
When is Data Privacy Week?
This year, Data Privacy Week runs from January 26 to 30, 2026.
Data Privacy Week 2026 theme
Consumers have little control over how their data is collected, but they can make informed decisions about managing it. To this end, 2026 Data Privacy Week will focus on “Take control of your data,” with resources to help people protect their personal information and corporations use it responsibly.
6 ways to make the most of Data Privacy Week
Data Privacy Week is an opt-in affair, meaning corporations must embrace the opportunity to strengthen their cybersecurity practices for themselves. Doing so can create a culture that prioritizes data privacy at all levels of the organization. Here’s how to get started:
1. Create a Data Privacy Week campaign
Employees and customers should understand how you embrace Data Privacy Week. Plan webinars, workshops, blogs or social media posts focusing on how to protect personal data. You can also showcase your data privacy expertise by explaining your corporation’s own cybersecurity practices.
Boost your campaign’s reach by hosting joint events with advocacy groups or influencers or engaging them in your online campaign. This can increase the visibility of your efforts during Data Privacy Week and beyond — and demonstrate your commitment to data privacy on a larger scale.
2. Promote your privacy initiatives
What are your corporate policies for complying with data privacy regulations like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) or the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA)?
Highlight the efforts you’ve undertaken to comply. This could mean publishing a transparency report, showcasing improvements in your security measures or announcing new privacy policies.
3. Offer employee training
Many employees complete cybersecurity training at onboarding and regular intervals thereafter. Data Privacy Week is a timely opportunity to improve employees’ skills and understanding of data privacy-specific practices.
Update your employees on the importance of privacy, explain new policies or offer them tips to protect their own data. This can help support your organization’s culture of privacy and security.
4. Engage with your customers
Use emails or social media to remind your customers about their rights regarding personal data and how your company respects them.
Share tools and suggestions with your customers to better manage their data privacy, whether you create your own resources or direct them to Data Privacy Week’s website.
5. Review and update your privacy policies
Corporations with strong cybersecurity frameworks regularly monitor and update their privacy policies. Still, Data Privacy Week is a critical milestone to ensure your policies are clear, up to date and comply with the latest regulations. Maintaining transparent policies is key to earning and keeping consumer trust.
6. Audit your data privacy practices
Use Data Privacy Week to audit your data handling processes and identify areas for improvement. Making your commitment to responsible data management public can build trust and show that you take privacy and security seriously.
Doing so is also in line with a key highlight for the week itself: “Respecting consumers’ privacy is a smart strategy for inspiring trust and enhancing reputation and growth in your business.”
Strengthen cybersecurity beyond Data Privacy Week
Data Privacy Week is an essential reminder that data privacy evolves. Consumers and corporations may face different cybersecurity threats a year from now than they do today. As such, defending company and consumer data isn’t enough. Dominating the cybersecurity landscape is.
As your organization recognizes Data Privacy Week, now is the time to translate awareness into action. Strengthening data governance, enhancing cyber resilience and setting clear guardrails for GenAI use all start with intentional planning. Whether it’s refining board oversight or aligning responsibilities across the CDO, CIO and CISO, the choices you make today will shape how effectively you manage emerging risks and maintain stakeholder trust in the year ahead.
Diligent, recognized as a Leader in the 2025 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Governance, Risk and Compliance Tools, empowers organizations to bring clarity and control to their cyber and data privacy programs. With the Diligent One Platform and an extensive Education & Templates Library, including our Cyber Risk & Strategy Certification, we equip boards, executives and practitioners with the frameworks, visibility and skills needed to protect sensitive information and stay ahead of evolving regulatory demands.
If elevating your data protection strategy is a priority, our team is ready to support you. Connect with Diligent to speak with an expert or request a tailored demo, and see how we can help you safeguard customer data with greater confidence and foresight.
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