GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) might seem like a complicated challenge that surely confuses many executives and company owners. Even though at first glance the GDPR regulation may not feel like agile digital age solution, it nevertheless is a necessary reform. The goal of the reform is to provide the European Union with an up-to-date, strong, unified, and comprehensive data protection framework.
Once enforced, GDPR will be an extremely strict data protection law. Its general purpose is to secure consumer information and to ensure data protection rights. At the same time, it forces organizations to reflect what data is being collected and how this data is used. Infringement of the regulations can lead to fines of various amounts, and at worst, they can be up to four percent of annual revenue. Auch!
GDPR will affect all the organizations that process personal data in the EU. The definition of personal data processing in the context of the regulation has been defined to practically cover all types data use such as data collection, recording, retrieval, alteration and destruction. The data protection regulation is applied to both “Controllers” and “Processors”. The data protection regulation sets a purpose and a method on to how the data is handled. This requires that data protection principles are applied to software, system, user interface, and web page design processes from the beginning. The Controller or the Processor is responsible to implement and to develop technical and procedural actions to ensure data safety and GDPR compliance.
What can you do now to ensure GDPR compliance?
Document your answers to at least these questions:
- What personal data do you store?
- On what basis you collect the data?
- Where is the data being sent from?
- How is the data processed and by whom?
- Where is the data saved?
- How and what do you tell people about how the data is processed?
- How do you collect the data?
GDPR Summary Document
Create a document from this checklist, that you and your employees can refer to, so that everyone knows what is included in the data protection regulations. After having done this, you can use the document as evidence to show that your organization is GDPR compliant, if asked. Also make sure that third parties associated with your company have appropriate GDPR policies and strategy in place.
For suppliers, contractors and other business partners, create or update existing contracts. Confirm that these contracts are in line with the requirements of the data protection regulation. Furthermore, check that your website and other means of collecting customer and market insights are in line with the regulation.
Best of luck for the dawn of the GDPR and don’t hesitate to be in touch in case you need help!
Contact Information:
Piia Hoffsten
Chief Operating Officer
piia.hoffsten@isletgroup.fi
+358 40 5877 303
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