OTTAWA – The Digital Governance Standards Institute (DGSI) is proud to announce the commencement of a 60-day public review period for the new CAN/DGSI 100-11 – Data Governance for Community and Human Services standard. This innovative standard aims to establish comprehensive and secure data governance practices to safeguard the privacy of client and donor data within Canada’s community and human service providers.

In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, the need for robust data governance has never been more critical. The CAN/DGSI 100-11 standard addresses existing gaps in data governance practices within organizations that deliver community and human services, offering a comprehensive framework to protect sensitive information and maintain public trust.

Key features of the CAN/DGSI 100-11 standard include:

– Guidelines for responsible, ethical, and privacy-preserving data collection, storage, use, and sharing
– Minimum requirements for data handling within the community and human services sector
– Strategies to mitigate risks associated with new technologies for client and donor management
– Measures to prevent unauthorized use of client data and protect donor information
– Protocols to preserve organizational and sector reputation

This data governance standard was developed in partnership with the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) and the Ontario Nonprofit Network (ONN).

Pamela Uppal Sandhu, Director of Policy and Interim Co-Executive Director from the Ontario Nonprofit Network, emphasized the importance of this standard: 

“The development of the CAN/DGSI 100-11 standard marks a pivotal moment for the nonprofit sector in Canada. As organizations increasingly rely on digital tools to serve their communities, it’s crucial that we have a robust framework to ensure the ethical and secure handling of sensitive data. This standard will empower nonprofits to embrace technological advancements while maintaining the highest levels of trust and accountability with the individuals and communities they serve.”

The new data governance standard represents a significant milestone in promoting strong data governance practices. It will allow community and human service providers to confidently embrace technological advancements while upholding the highest standards of privacy, security, and ethical practices. This initiative sets a new benchmark for the sector, shaping the future of community and human services in an increasingly data-driven ecosystem.

The Digital Governance Standards Institute invites all stakeholders, including community and human service providers, technology experts, policymakers, and members of the public, to participate in the 60-day review process. Your input is invaluable in shaping this critical standard and ensuring it meets the diverse needs of the sector.

Katharine Bambrick, CEO of the Ontario Trillium Foundation, added: 

“The CAN/DGSI 100-11 standard is a game-changer for community and human service providers across Canada. By establishing clear guidelines for data governance, we are not only protecting vulnerable populations but also fostering innovation in the sector. OTF is pleased to be a partner in this critical work to enable organizations to harness the power of data responsibly, ultimately leading to more effective and impactful services for Canadians.”

Get Involved

Read more and give your feedback on this standard HERE.

As an organization, we highly prioritize collaboration and openness in our standards development process. We firmly believe that the best standards are created through the collective effort of diverse stakeholders. Therefore, we extend a warm invitation to all interested parties to actively contribute to our ongoing work. If you are interested in contributing to the work to assist in the development of this new standard, please get in touch through the contact below.

You can also get in touch with Darryl Kingston, Executive Director of Standards for more information or to get directly involved. 

For media inquiries:

Shyra Wells
Communications and Knowledge Mobilization Lead
Digital Governance Council
Shyra.craig@dgc-cgn.org

About the Digital Governance Council 

The Digital Governance Council is a member-driven organization that acts as a cross-sector neutral convener for Canada’s executive leaders to identify, prioritize and act on digital governance opportunities and challenges. The Council leads an Executive Forum for council members, sets technology governance standards through the Digital Governance Standards Institute and certifies the compliance of Canadian organizations in the management of the effective and efficient use of digital technologies. To learn more about the organization and its initiatives, visit www.dgc-cgn.org or contact info@dgc-cgn.org.

About the Ontario Trillium Foundation

Through OTF’s Partnership Investments program, OTF co-invests in projects that strengthen the infrastructure, resources, and relationships to build a stronger non-profit sector. OTF helps create a foundation of enhanced support that drives innovation and deepens impact so that the non-profit sector thrives. To learn more about OTF, visit otf.ca.