Jakarta, INTI - Rindy, Head of the Digital Space Compliance Oversight Team at Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs, stressed that any data capable of identifying an individual, whether directly or indirectly, constitutes personal data that must be protected under the Personal Data Protection (PDP) Law.
She cited institutional email addresses as an example of sensitive data, as they can reveal a person’s identity, organization, and location, making them vulnerable to misuse such as phishing and other forms of digital fraud.
Human Resource and Data Governance Challenges
Rindy noted that human error remains the primary cause of data breaches, with approximately 90% of personal data protection cases stemming from low levels of employee awareness.
Director of Human Capital Management at PT Telkom Indonesia, Willy Saelan, highlighted the importance of consistent data governance and human resource systems, particularly for companies with multiple subsidiaries.
Telkom is currently consolidating all subsidiary HR systems into a single platform to enhance organizational maturity while reducing the risk of data breaches.
The company is also developing AI capabilities within its HR processes, especially for talent development through AI-based management systems, while ensuring that innovation is accompanied by appropriate security guardrails.
Organizational Culture Shapes Data and AI Utilization
Meanwhile, Adir Ginting, Director of Enterprise Business at Google Cloud Indonesia, noted that the primary challenge in leveraging data and AI lies not in the technology itself, but in an organization’s ability to translate data into impactful action.
Adir emphasized that AI-driven productivity depends on the right organizational culture, cross-functional collaboration, and a psychologically safe work environment.
A 2025 McKinsey survey found that 70% of organizations struggle to make effective use of their data, while 90% of available data remains underutilized.
In conclusion, personal data protection must be firmly enforced, technological innovation needs to be accompanied by proper risk management, and the effective use of AI is only possible when supported by a strong and enabling organizational culture.
Conclusion
Indonesia’s digital transformation hinges on a balanced approach that combines strong personal data protection, responsible AI adoption, and effective data governance. While technology continues to advance rapidly, its impact will depend on human awareness, organizational culture, and the ability to translate data into meaningful action. Strengthening skills, governance, and trust will be key to ensuring that digital innovation delivers sustainable and secure benefits.
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