The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a comprehensive data privacy law that governs how organizations handle the personal data of individuals within the European Union (EU). Non-compliance with GDPR can result in hefty fines and reputational damage. Therefore, tech companies need to implement GDPR best practices to ensure data protection and regulatory compliance.

GDPR compliance refers to the following regulations under the European Union’s GDPR which was enacted on May 25, 2018. It is the legal framework through which the European Union and the European Economic Area (EEA) govern how organizations collect, process, store, and protect the personal data of individuals within these jurisdictions.

Any business will require GDPR compliance for personal data protection, avoiding steep fines, and most importantly, upholding customer trust. Let’s take a look at these in detail:

• Legal Obligation

Where a business is located is irrelevant if they are processing data of EU/EEA residents because GDPR still applies. Not adhering to regulations will lead to harsh consequences.

• Avoiding Heavy Fines & Penalties

Businesses who do not comply can face fines around €20 million or 4% of their global revenue, whichever is the highest. These costs have the ability to put organizations out of business which makes compliance very advantageous.

• Competitive Advantage

Businesses complying with GDPR are more enticing to potential as well as existing partners and clients. Numerous organizations tend to avoid the associated risks by engaging with vendors who are guaranteed to be GDPR compliant.

• Preventing Data Breaches

Compliance means that there will be advanced security measures implemented including, but not limited to, encryption, regular security audits, access control and the possibility of breaching data being minimized financially and reputationally.

• Enhanced Data Management

Being in compliance with GDPR means that a business will only store necessary data leading to heightened productivity, organization, efficiency, and reduction in cost.

• Global Business Expansion Made Easy

Organizations that work with clients or partners from the EU have to follow GDPR. Being compliant makes it easier to penetrate European markets and forge co operations with other countries.

• Improving Cybersecurity Practices

GDPR pushes companies to have serious cybersecurity policies in place which improves data security as well as minimises risks.

The General Data Protection Regulation or GDPR is a law that is designed to protect personal data of users within the European Union. Businesses that store or process data of citizens from the EU, need to comply with GDPR and its terms. The article below provides a concise ten-step roadmap to help organizations work towards achieving compliance.

Step 1: Have Complete Knowledge Of The Data Your Company Holds

To acquire compliance with GDPR, the first step is to understand what data your company collects and what data is processed and stored. This calls for performing an all-inclusive data inventory so that all the types of personal data within your organization are accounted for and their storage is known. Additionally, classifying data based on its sensitivity and legal grounds will simplify compliance even further.

Step 2: Protect Your Website

Most websites gather data for user accounts via forms, cookies, and third-party applications. For your website, ensure that there is at least an SSL Certificate to encrypt data transmissions. Use Strong access control, secure hosting environment, and frequent vulnerability scans to protect user information from misuse.

Step 3: Update Your Privacy Policy

Privacy policies for GDPR compliance must be as clear as possible and not be difficult to find. It must state what and how personal data is collected, what processes are in place for the data, what legally allows that data to be processed, how and why data is kept, and what happens to the data subjects within that period of time. Make sure your policies are compliant and up to date with current practices of changing collection and processes for data.

Step 4: Get Consent For Emails

Businesses are allowed to send marketing emails provided they have first obtained explicit, informed consent sent by the user. Putting in place opt-in directions where users passively give their services by agreeing to opt-in rather than getting the service by default. Documentation of the consent is retained while putting the mechanism in place that allows withdrawal of consent when need be.

Step 5: Should Include Cookie Banner

Websites using cookie banners must inform visitors of the use of the cookie and request for explicit permission to use them. The banner must give users the options of accepting, declining, or altering the arrangement of the cookies.

Step 6: Check Data Processors/ Third Party Services

Ensure all third-party services like email marketing tools and cloud-based providers ensure compliance with GDPR policies. Establish Data Processing Agreements (DPAs) with these vendors to allocate obligations and protect user information.

Step 7: Implement Data Protection Measures

These include organizational and technical safeguards like pseudonymization, encryption, access controls, and secure backups. Train staff on identified data security procedures, and carry out periodic security audits to identify new threats.

Step 8: Enable Subject Rights

GDPR affords a number of rights to the data subjects which are access, rectification, deletion, and data portability. Make sure your organization is ready to process Data Subject Access Requests (DSARs) in a timely manner as per the set periods.

Step 9: Prepare A Data Breach Response Plan 

A breach of data security requires a designated authority to be alerted within 72 hours so they can take any subsequent necessary steps, and then any individuals who could be put at risk due to the breach should be informed within that timeframe. Develop a robust incident response plan, outlining steps for detection, containment, investigation, and reporting of breaches.

Step 10: Conduct Regular Audits And Monitoring

For GDPR compliance an organization must constantly monitor itself. Check the level of compliance, weaknesses within the system, and make any needed changes to improve by carrying out audits on data protection every now and then. Consistent monitoring provides assurance that policies related to data protection are current and relevant within the changing landscape of policies and laws.

StrongBox IT delivers specialized services to assist organizations in achieving and maintaining GDPR compliance. With our expert consulting services, we make sure your business meets the most stringent data protection and data privacy regulations through comprehensive data protection strategy and penetration testing as well as regulatory compliance consulting.  Partner with StrongBox IT to safeguard your data and stay ahead of evolving compliance requirements.

Achieving GDPR compliance is a continuous process that requires diligence and proactive measures. By following this 10-step roadmap, tech companies can protect user data, build customer trust, and avoid regulatory penalties. Investing in data privacy is not only a legal requirement but also a strategic advantage in today’s digital landscape.