GDPR Readiness Checklist: 10 Things To Keep Ready

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a comprehensive data protection law that has significant implications for organizations handling personal data. In this blog, we will provide you with a concise and practical checklist to help ensure your compliance with GDPR requirements. By following this checklist, you can strengthen data protection practices, enhance privacy rights for individuals, and mitigate potential risks. Let’s dive in and navigate the GDPR landscape together!

Contents

1 Introduction To GDPR
2 Checklist To Find Your Eligibility With GDPR
3 10 Things To Keep Ready Before GDPR Compliance
4 Conclusion

Introduction To GDPR

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a comprehensive data protection law that was implemented in the European Union (EU) in 2018. It sets out rules and regulations regarding the collection, processing, and storage of personal data, aiming to protect individuals’ privacy rights. The GDPR applies to organizations that handle the personal data of individuals within the EU, regardless of their location. It imposes strict obligations on data controllers and processors to ensure transparency, security, and accountability in data processing practices.

Checklist To Find Your Eligibility With GDPR

To determine if your organization is subject to the requirements of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), you can use the following checklist:

Jurisdiction: Confirm if your organization processes the personal data of individuals within the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA).
Establishment: Check if your organization has an establishment within the EU or EEA, regardless of where the data processing takes place.
Offering goods or services: Determine if your organization offers goods or services to individuals within the EU or EEA, whether they are paid or free of charge.
Monitoring behavior: Assess if your organization monitors the behavior of individuals within the EU or EEA. This includes tracking online activities or profiling individuals.
Data subjects: Identify if you collect or process personal data of individuals who are EU or EEA residents, regardless of their citizenship.
Nature of personal data: Consider if the data you collect or process includes personally identifiable information that falls within the scope of the GDPR, such as names, addresses, email addresses, financial details, or other identifiers.
Data processing activities: Evaluate if your organization engages in systematic and extensive processing of personal data, such as large-scale processing, processing of sensitive data, or processing that affects individuals’ rights and freedoms.
Data processors and controllers: Determine if your organization acts as a data controller or a data processor. A data controller determines the purposes and means of processing, while a data processor processes personal data on behalf of the data controller.
Data transfers: Assess if your organization transfers personal data outside the EU or EEA to countries that do not provide an adequate level of data protection.

10 Things To Keep Ready Before GDPR Compliance

Given below are some things you can ensure and keep ready before applying for GDPR compliance:

1. Appoint a DPO

Appoint a Data Protection Officer (DPO) or designate someone responsible for data protection. A DPO will be responsible for overseeing data protection practices and ensuring compliance with GDPR requirements. This individual should have the necessary knowledge and expertise in data protection laws and practices.

2. Develop an inventory

2. Develop an inventory Identify and document the types of personal data you collect and process. Take inventory of the personal data your organization collects and processes. This includes information such as names, addresses, email addresses, financial details, and any other data that can directly or indirectly identify an individual. Document the purposes for processing this data, the legal basis for processing (e.g., consent or legitimate interest), and the retention periods.

3. Develop measures

Implement appropriate technical and organizational measures for data security. Put in place measures to protect personal data from unauthorized access, loss, or destruction. This may involve using encryption techniques to secure sensitive data, implementing access controls to limit data access to authorized personnel, regularly backing up data, and ensuring the physical security of data storage locations.

4. Obtain consent

Obtain informed and unambiguous consent. When collecting personal data, ensure individuals are fully informed about the purposes for which their data will be used. Obtain their explicit consent and make it easy for them to withdraw consent at any time. Provide clear and concise privacy notices that explain how their data will be processed and their rights to their data.

5. Ensure data subject rights

Develop procedures for handling data subject rights requests. Put in place mechanisms to handle requests from individuals exercising their rights under the GDPR. This includes the right to access their data, request corrections or deletions, restrict processing, and object to processing. Establish processes to verify the identity of the data subjects and respond to their requests within the specified timeframes. This is usually within one month.

6. Lawful data transfers

6. Lawful data transfers If you transfer personal data outside the EEA, ensure that you have appropriate safeguards in place. This may involve using Standard Contractual Clauses approved by the European Commission. It may also involve adopting Binding Corporate Rules for intra-group transfers or relying on an adequacy decision for countries that the EU deems to have an adequate level of data protection.

7. Conduct DPIAs

For high-risk processing activities, such as using new technologies or processing large-scale personal data, conduct a DPIA (Data Privacy Impact Assessment) to assess the impact on individuals’ privacy. Identify and mitigate potential risks, evaluate the necessity and proportionality of the processing, and document the assessment.

8. Data breach notification

Develop procedures to detect, investigate, and report personal data breaches. Implement mechanisms to promptly detect breaches and assess their potential impact. If a breach occurs, notify the relevant supervisory authority within 72 hours of becoming aware of it, unless the breach is unlikely to result in risks to individuals’ rights and freedoms. If the breach is likely to result in a high risk to individuals, notify the affected individuals as well.

9. Contracts with third-party service providers

9. Contracts with third-party service providers When engaging third-party service providers that process personal data on your behalf, ensure that there are appropriate data processing agreements or contracts in place. These agreements should outline the responsibilities and obligations of both parties regarding data protection and ensure that the third-party service providers implement appropriate security measures to protect the data.

Conclusion

In conclusion, implementing a GDPR checklist is crucial for organizations handling personal data. By following the checklist, businesses can ensure compliance with GDPR requirements, protect individuals’ privacy rights, and avoid hefty penalties. However, due to the complexity of GDPR and its application to various industries, it is advisable to seek legal assistance or consult with privacy professionals to ensure accurate and tailored compliance. Protect your data and seek help to navigate the intricacies of GDPR effectively.

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