COMPLIANCE WITH THE PRINCIPLE OF ACCOUNTABILITY BY THE HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS - ADMINISTRATORS OF PERSONAL DATA IN BULGARIA

 

Radka P. Ivanova¹ and Zhivka Mateeva²

¹Assoc. Prof. PhD., University of Economics Varna, Bulgaria, r.ivanova@ue-varna.bg

²Chief. Asst. Prof. PhD., University of Economics Varna, Bulgaria, jivkamateeva@ue-varna.bg

 

Abstract

Nowadays, the higher education institutions in Bulgaria are facing serious challenges, among which are: the demographic collapse in the country, orientation towards foreign universities - in and outside the EU, high competition between higher education institutions, digitization of the educational process, which in turn lead to a significant increase of the free exchange and access of personal data. One of the most important aspects of the information security of individuals is the protection of personal data. It is part of the right to inviolability and is applied in higher education. In accordance with the current legislation in Bulgaria and in accordance with Regulation 2016/679 (EU), higher education institutions, in their capacity as administrators of personal data, should ensure appropriate levels of data protection. In this regard, the aim of this article is to characterize the higher schools in Bulgaria, with the emphasis being placed on the principle of accountability, appearing as a guarantee for the effective application of the rules for the protection of personal data in the field of higher education.

Keywords: higher school, personal data, personal data controller, principle of accountability, code of conduct