EP 9 — County of Santa Clara's Chris Pahl on Building Trust in Public Sector Privacy

Drawing from his diverse background in both private and public sectors, Chris Pahl, CPO of the County Executive Office of the County of Santa Clara, tells Jean how organizations can transform privacy from a compliance burden into a strategic asset on this episode of The Future of Data Security Show. 

Chris’s "U R IT" framework emphasizes the crucial role of employees in data protection, and his practical approach to managing AI risks and surveillance technologies offers a blueprint for modern privacy leadership. He demonstrates how to build privacy programs from the ground up, foster cross-departmental collaboration, and navigate the evolving landscape of data governance in an AI-driven world, all while maintaining a human-centric approach that puts trust and transparency first. 

Topics discussed:

• Building trust in public sector privacy while balancing transparency with data protection requirements
• Transforming privacy from a cost center into a strategic partner that enhances organizational mission
• Managing the emerging risks of generative AI while enabling innovation and efficiency for employees
• Implementing effective employee surveillance through transparency and clear communication
• Evolution of the Chief Privacy Officer role toward holistic data governance and technical expertise
• Strategies for measuring privacy program success through integration and cultural adoption
• Importance of proactive relationship building and avoiding the "department of no" mentality
• Developing privacy programs incrementally while building cross-functional partnerships