8 Simple Steps To Get Your Organization GDPR Complaint

get gdpr compliant

Achieving GDPR compliance can be a challenging & complex process, but it is essential for several reasons. If you want to know what are the key steps to get GDPR compliant or want to know where to get started, then this blog is for you. In this blog will provide insights into ways to achieve GDPR compliance and the importance of seeking help from experienced consulting firms.

Is GDPR Compliance Easy To Get?

Is GDPR Compliance Easy To Get?GDPR compliance is not necessarily easy to achieve, as it requires a thorough understanding of the regulation & its requirements, as well as an organization-wide effort to implement necessary policies and procedures. GDPR compliance involves measures such as obtaining explicit consent for data collection & processing, providing individuals with access to their data, & implementing strong security measures. Non-compliance can result in significant fines and reputational damage, so organizations need to take GDPR compliance seriously and invest the necessary resources to achieve it.

8 Ways To Get GDPR Complaint

Here are some ways to get GDPR compliant:

1. Review & update your privacy policy

Your privacy policy should be clear, concise, & transparent about how you collect, use, & process personal data. It’s essential to review and update your privacy policy regularly, especially when changes to your data processing activities occur. Your privacy policy should be easily accessible on your website or other customer-facing channels, & it should be written in plain language that is easy to understand.

2. Obtain explicit consent

GDPR requires that organizations obtain explicit consent from individuals before collecting their data. Explicit consent means that individuals must provide clear and affirmative action to indicate their consent. Organizations must ensure that the consent process is easy to understand & that individuals are informed about the specific purposes for which their data will be processed.

3. Implement appropriate security measures

Security measures are essential to ensure that personal data is protected from unauthorized access, loss, or destruction. GDPR requires that organizations implement appropriate technical & organizational measures to ensure the security of personal data. This includes measures such as access controls, data encryption, regular data backups, and disaster recovery plans.

4. Appoint a Data Protection Officer (DPO)

4. Appoint a Data Protection Officer (DPO)GDPR requires that certain organizations appoint a DPO to oversee GDPR compliance. A DPO’s role is to monitor compliance, provide advice and guidance on data protection issues, & act as a point of contact with data protection authorities. The DPO should be independent, knowledgeable about data protection laws and practices, and report directly to senior management.

5. Train employees

Employee training is essential to ensure that personal data is handled correctly & that GDPR requirements are met. Employees who handle personal data should receive regular training on data protection laws and practices. Training should cover topics such as data minimization, data subject rights, data security, & data breach reporting.

6. Respond to data subject requests

GDPR gives individuals the right to access, rectify, and erase their data. Organizations must have processes in place to respond to these requests in a timely and efficient manner. It’s important to have a clear and streamlined process for handling data subject requests & to ensure that employees are aware of their responsibilities in responding to these requests.

7. Conduct regular assessments (DPIAs)

DPIAs (data protection impact assessments) are a critical tool for identifying and mitigating risks associated with processing personal data. GDPR requires that organizations conduct DPIAs for processing activities that are likely to result in a high risk to the rights & freedoms of individuals. DPIAs should be conducted regularly and should involve all relevant stakeholders in the organization.

8. Keep records of data processing activities

GDPR requires that organizations keep records of their data processing activities. Records should include information such as the purposes of the processing, the types of data processed, and any third parties involved. Keeping accurate records of data processing activities is important for demonstrating GDPR compliance to data protection authorities and can also help organizations identify areas where improvements can be made to their data protection practices.

Know The GDPR Rights For Individuals

Know The GDPR Rights For IndividualsApart from the above-given steps, it is important for any organization to know the rights given to individuals. This is so, as it will help you to establish accurate rules & policies. Under GDPR, individuals have several rights regarding their data. These rights include:

  • Right to access: Individuals have the right to know what personal data an organization is processing about them & to obtain a copy of that data.
  • Right to rectification: Individuals have the right to request that any inaccurate or incomplete personal data be corrected.
  • Right to erasure: It gives the right to request to erase their data in certain circumstances. Such as when the data is no longer necessary for the purpose for which it was collected, or when the individual withdraws their consent.
  • Right to restrict processing: Individuals have the right to request that an organization restrict the processing of their data in certain circumstances. Such as when the accuracy of the data is contested, or when the individual objects to the processing.
  • Right to data portability: Individuals have the right to receive their data in a structured, commonly used, & machine-readable format, & to transmit that data to another controller.
  • Right to object: Individuals have the right to object to the processing of their data in certain circumstances. Such as when the data is being processed for direct marketing purposes.
  • Right not to be subject to automated decision-making: Individuals have the right not to be subject to a decision based solely on automated processing, including profiling, that produces legal effects concerning them or similarly significantly affects them.

Importance Of Being GDPR Compliant

Importance Of Being GDPR CompliantBeing GDPR compliant is essential for any organization that processes the personal data of EU citizens. Here are some reasons why GDPR compliance is important:

  • Avoiding hefty fines: Failure to comply with GDPR can result in significant fines of up to €20 million or 4% of the organization’s annual global turnover, whichever is higher. These fines can have a severe impact on an organization’s finances & reputation.
  • Building customer trust: GDPR compliance shows customers that an organization takes data protection seriously & respects their privacy. This can help to build trust with customers & enhance an organization’s reputation.
  • Ensuring legal compliance: GDPR is a legal requirement for any organization that processes the personal data of EU citizens. Non-compliance can result in legal action being taken against an organization, which can lead to further fines & reputational damage.
  • Improving data security: GDPR compliance requires organizations to implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect personal data. This can help to improve data security & reduce the risk of data breaches.
  • Enhancing data management: GDPR compliance requires organizations to have processes in place for managing personal data, such as keeping accurate records & responding to data subject requests. This can help to improve data management practices & make it easier for organizations to manage their data effectively.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is essential for organizations that process the personal data of EU citizens to get GDPR compliant. Non-compliance can result in hefty fines, legal action, and reputational damage. By implementing GDPR compliance measures, organizations can build customer trust, improve data security and management, and ensure legal compliance. However, achieving GDPR compliance can be a complex and challenging process. Therefore, it is essential to seek help from experts such as Impanix, who can guide organizations through the process and ensure that they meet all GDPR requirements.

If you are looking to implement any of the Infosec compliance frameworks such as SOC 2 complianceHIPAAISO 27001, and GDPR compliance, Impanix can help. Book a Free consultation call with our experts or email us at  [email protected] for inquiries.