Everyone has an opinion about GDPR.
GDPR is the relatively new mandatory compliance law introduced by the European Union. The regulation requires that any company doing business with any citizen of the EU follow specific guidelines for data protection.
There is stricter data security, more granular personal data privacy handling obligations, and more investigations and audits within GDPR.
However, fearing the consequences of GDPR is not the solution. Instead, companies must embrace it and maximize the benefits it brings when it comes to data management.
Here are 3 steps to make GDPR your best friend:
Step 1: Audit your data
In any international organization, there are likely multiple data centers, databases, applications, operating systems, hardware platforms, and desktop and mobile systems, all of which may collect data in one form of another. You must audit all the data and create a comprehensive overview of what data you hold, the vendors you hold responsible for the stewardship of that data, and the physical location of the data.
Step 2: Categorize your data
Once you have a clear understanding of your data, you must establish certain data categories. The GDPR also demands a recalibration of the relationship between data controllers and data processors, customers, and suppliers.
Step 3: Rationalize & standardize
For this step, you must analyze the data you have and determine if any of that data is considered as “personal data.” Then you need to draft a Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) and Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) of security policies to determine risk exposure and available protections.
Following these 3 simple steps can put you on the right path to ensuring that your company’s data complies with GDPR requirements.
If you want to know more about GDPR and how it could be implemented into your data security process, click the link below for more information.
