The assignment of key personnel to oversee privacy and security issues is a great way to proactively address problems and maintain consistent practices throughout a product’s lifecycle. For large companies, there might be multiple people whose primary role is to protect privacy and security, including a chief privacy officer and/or chief information security officer, a dedicated privacy group, and specific members of each product team focused on privacy issues. But even two-person startups can benefit by making sure that someone is specifically responsible for thinking about privacy and security issues so that they aren’t ignored until it’s too late.

Failing to recognize your changing privacy and security needs as your company and products evolve can create new risks for your users and your reputation. Instead, use regular assessments to evaluate and update your privacy and security practices. Assessments should take place before a new product is launched and whenever major changes are implemented.