As part of Data Privacy Week 2026, the CyberTech Top Voice program hosted Anna Collard of KnowBe4 Africa, exploring how data privacy priorities are evolving across global enterprises.

In this discussion, Sudipto Ghosh, Head of Global Marketing at Intent Amplify, asked Anna about the key challenges and lessons organizations are experiencing worldwide—from navigating fragmented regulations and cross-border data flows to managing AI-driven privacy risks and operational accountability at scale. Anna brings a global lens to the conversation, sharing practical insights drawn from real-world implementations across regions and industries.

Together, the conversation moves beyond compliance narratives to examine how leading organizations are embedding privacy into strategy, technology, and trust-building efforts as data protection expectations continue to rise in 2026.

Here’s what Anna shared with our team.

Hi Anna, welcome to the CyberTech Top Voice program. During Data Privacy Week 2026, what shifts are you seeing in how organizations are redefining data privacy priorities?

Privacy in 2026 has moved beyond checkbox compliance to become a strategic business imperative. Resilient organizations are shifting from reactive data protection to proactive privacy governance that directly impacts brand value and market positioning.

And here is why: Cybersecurity Has Become Personal.

According to the World Economic Forum’s Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2026,report, 73% of respondents said they, or someone close to them, were personally affected by cyber-enabled fraud last year. This shift matters. Cyber risk is no longer limited to IT teams or organizations; it is impacting households, communities, and trust itself. Data breaches exposing people’s personal information result in more empowered scammers and social engineers, who can combine this leaked data with AI-powered tools to increase the sophistication and personalization of their attacks.

The “Take Control of Your Data” theme resonates because control has shifted; both organizations and individuals are demanding agency over their digital footprints rather than accepting passive surveillance as inevitable.

Data minimization is becoming normalized; forward-thinking organizations now recognize that collecting only essential data reduces liability while building customer trust.

Transparency has emerged as a competitive differentiator; customers increasingly choose companies that clearly communicate what data is collected, how it’s used, and who it’s shared with.

Third, leaderships are recognizing that strong data protection practices directly correlate with long-term growth and customer retention.

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What is the role of AI, automation, and governance in scaling privacy responsibly?

As AI capabilities expand exponentially, the intersection of automation and governance has become critical. Organizations can no longer manually manage privacy at scale, the volume and velocity of data processing demand intelligent, automated solutions.

However, automation without governance creates new risks. We’re advising organizations to implement privacy-by-design principles where encryption, access controls, and data lifecycle management are automated from the outset. Staff training remains essential, technology can protect data in transit and at rest, but employees are still often in the firing line, having to defend against social engineering, phishing, and emerging AI-powered threats.

The key is balance: leverage automation to enforce consistent privacy controls across global operations while maintaining human oversight for nuanced decisions about data ethics, consent, and contextual appropriateness.

Please explain the idea of “privacy” as a driver of trust, brand value, and long-term growth.

In 2026, organizations that treat privacy as foundational to their value proposition are winning customer loyalty and market share.

Transparency builds trust, and trust drives commercial outcomes. When customers understand how their data is protected through clear policies, robust technology controls, and demonstrated compliance with GDPR, CCPA, and/ or other emerging regulations, they’re more likely to engage, share information, and maintain long-term relationships.

Conversely, privacy failures carry reputational costs.

A single breach can erase years of brand building if not managed correctly. Sound incident response processes and clear and transparent communication strategies are critical for resilience. Organizations investing in comprehensive data breach response plans, regular compliance reviews, and continuous staff education are protecting not just data, but one of their most valuable asset: consumer trust and confidence.

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What are the key challenges or lessons your organization has seen globally in data privacy management? What is your agenda for the Data Privacy Week 2026?

Data Privacy Week serves as a great reminder for organizations to strengthen their data protection practices in 2026 and it’s a great opportunity to raise awareness amongst both leadership and staff of the priority of data protection. Here are some tips:

  • Review your data collection practices and only collect and store information that’s absolutely necessary for operations, as less data means reduced liability and lower breach risk. 
  • Be transparent about your privacy policies by clearly communicating to customers what data you collect, how it’s used, and with whom it’s shared; transparency builds trust and goes beyond mere compliance. 
  • Ensure that all data is encrypted both in transit and at rest, as encryption serves as a critical last line of defense against breaches. 
  • Invest in staff training to help employees recognize social engineering tactics, phishing attempts, and emerging security threats. People are your first line of defense. 
  • Review your organization’s adherence to GDPR, CCPA, and other relevant privacy regulations to protect both customer rights and your organizational reputation. 
  • Finally, test and update your data breach response plan to ensure your team knows their roles and can act quickly and effectively if an incident occurs.

For individuals, digital overwhelm remains the primary barrier. We encourage people to use Data Privacy Week as a catalyst for digital spring cleaning:

  • Delete unused accounts and apps; revoke unnecessary permissions
  • Implement a password manager and enable MFA on all critical accounts
  • Adopt a “privacy-first mindset” before sharing data, ask: “Do I need this service? How will my data be used and shared?”
  • Use privacy-focused browsers and tracker-blocking extensions to reclaim control over your digital footprint

Data Privacy Week provides the perfect opportunity for both organizations and individuals to remind themselves and recommit to these privacy principles.

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Thank you, Anna, for participating in the CyberTech Insights Top Voice Interview series. We look forward to speaking with you again soon!

To participate in our interviews, please write to our CyberTech Media Room at info@intentamplify.com