Attending the NADPA-RAPDP 2025 Conference was a significant moment for Tech Hive Advisory. As an organisation that thrives on helping others navigate the complexities of data protection compliance and digital risk, the event offered us a unique opportunity to do what we do best—engage, inform, and connect.

Our exhibition booth attracted a steady stream of visitors from different sectors and professional backgrounds. We spoke with tech enthusiasts, legal professionals, entrepreneurs, students, and public officials. While everyone brought something different to the table, a common thread emerged from the conversations we had throughout the conference: there is still widespread confusion around data protection and how it differs from cybersecurity.

This observation was not entirely surprising, but it was striking. Despite the focus of the conference, many attendees admitted to not fully understanding what data protection entails. Several people used the terms "cybersecurity" and "data protection" interchangeably, while others considered compliance to be a purely legal matter, disconnected from everyday business operations. These moments of uncertainty underscored something we often encounter in our work—the knowledge gap is real, and it matters.

Data protection is not merely about securing information from external threats. It is about ensuring that personal data is collected, used, and stored lawfully, transparently, and ethically. Cybersecurity plays a crucial role in protecting digital systems and data from breaches, attacks, or unauthorised access, but it does not automatically guarantee that an organisation is data protection compliant. Compliance, in turn, involves meeting the specific legal and regulatory requirements that govern data practices—requirements that vary across industries and jurisdictions.

Understanding these differences is not just a matter of technical accuracy. It influences how organisations manage risk, engage customers, design policies, and avoid regulatory pitfalls. For instance, an organisation may have the most advanced cybersecurity infrastructure in place, yet still be in violation of data protection laws if it fails to obtain proper consent before processing personal data. Similarly, compliance cannot be treated as a checklist to be completed once and forgotten; it is a continuous process that requires coordination between legal, technical, and operational teams.

This is precisely where Tech Hive Advisory comes in. We provide more than just services; we offer clarity. Whether through audits, training, policy development, or advisory support, we help businesses understand how these moving parts connect and what they mean in practice. Our goal is to ensure that our clients are not only compliant on paper, but also confident in their ability to protect personal data and respond to digital challenges effectively.

The conference was a reminder that education remains a key part of our work. It also reaffirmed the importance of creating spaces where professionals feel safe to ask questions, seek clarity, and challenge assumptions. As we reflect on our time at NADPA-RAPDP 2025, we are grateful for every conversation, every question, and every moment of learning on both sides of the table.

Tech Hive Advisory will continue to engage, inform, and simplify. We understand the weight of regulatory expectations, but we also understand people; and that makes all the difference.

If you have ever wondered whether your organisation is truly clear on where data protection ends and cybersecurity begins, you are not alone. The good news is that you do not have to figure it out alone either. We are here to guide you. You can reach out to us by sending a mail to contact@techhiveadvisory.org.ng