SAJ offers data-protection services to businesses

THE SHIPPING Association of Jamaica (SAJ) has launched data-protection services for businesses across the island, including member companies in the shipping industry.

“Data protection isn’t just a compliance requirement. It’s a cornerstone of trust. As custodians of sensitive information, we must ensure that every system, process, and person respects the value of data. Protecting it means protecting people, reputations, and the future of our organisation,” said Dionne Mason-Gordon, member services manager at the SAJ.

The SAJ has partnered with a certified Data Protection Officer (DPO) with extensive experience in systems design, implementation, and process management. This partnership, combined with SAJ’s in-house expertise, delivers tailored solutions to safeguard company data while ensuring full compliance with Jamaica’s Data Protection Act (2020).

COMPLIANCE MADE SIMPLE

Under the law, all businesses that collect personal data must register with the Office of the Information Commissioner (OIC) and implement a compliance framework. The act also carries heavy fines for companies that fail to put adequate protections in place.

To help firms meet these obligations, the SAJ offers a full suite of services, including operational reviews, data-management systems, policy design and implementation, OIC registration support, and compliance monitoring through periodic reviews, impact assessments, and regulatory responses.

The association is one of several companies accredited by the Office of the Information Commissioner to provide these services and is listed on the agency’s website as a data protection services provider.

Cheryl Wright, the SAJ’s data-protection consultant, stressed the importance of getting it right. “Our services walk clients through the entire process, from data inventory and mapping to gap analyses that inform proactive protective measures. These steps keep companies compliant and give customers peace of mind,” she explained.

Wright added that the real danger is not whether breaches occur but whether firms can prove that they took reasonable steps to safeguard personal data. “Non-compliance opens the door to litigation and serious reputational, financial, and emotional damage,” she said

INDUSTRY ADVANTAGE

The services are available to companies islandwide, but Wright noted that SAJ’s long history in the shipping industry gives it a unique advantage. “We already handle a wide range of sensitive data sets, so our learning curve is much flatter than outside providers. Plus, unlike many others, we offer follow-up and ongoing support,” she said.

Jean Hinds-Bell, the SAJ’s internal audit and strategic officer, said the association’s approach is highly personalised. “It’s not just about our members. It’s about every organisation taking reasonable steps to protect data. We tailor policies and guidelines to each operation, conducting one-on-one interviews with key personnel. There is no one-size-fits-all solution. A large bank and a small institution require very different systems and resources,” she explained.

BROADER STRATEGY

The consultancy is part of the SAJ’s wider strategy to deepen engagement with export stakeholders and promote resilience, compliance, and sustainable growth in Jamaica’s logistics and shipping sector. Other SAJ services include financial consultancy, canine protection, security, and human resource solutions.

Founded in 1939 during a period of labour unrest, the SAJ was registered under the Union Act of Jamaica. Originally a labour-hire organisation, it has evolved into the representative body for more than 80 companies in the shipping industry. Today, with over eight decades of expertise, the association continues to play a central role in workforce planning, industrial relations, and the advancement of Jamaica’s maritime sector.