How Much Does It Cost To Be GDPR Compliant?

What Is GDPR?

The GDPR is a comprehensive privacy law that took effect on May 25, 2018 and replaced the Data Protection Directive. The regulation applies to organizations that collect, store, or process the personal data of EU citizens, regardless of whether the organization is based in the EU or not.

The GDPR applies to all organizations that collect, store or process the personal data of EU citizens, regardless of whether the organization is based in the EU or not. The regulation applies to both data controllers (organizations that determine the purposes and means of processing personal data) and data processors (organizations that process personal data on behalf of data controllers).

What Are The GDPR Compliance Requirements?

The GDPR sets out several requirements that organizations must comply with to protect the privacy and personal data of EU citizens. These include:

• Obtaining explicit consent from data subjects for the collection and processing of their personal data.
• Implementing appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect personal data.
• Appointing a Data Protection Officer (DPO) for certain types of processing activities.
• Reporting data breaches to the relevant supervisory authority within 72 hours.
• Providing data subjects with access to their personal data and allowing them to exercise their rights (such as the right to erasure and the right to data portability).

Factors Deciding GDPR Compliance Cost

GDPR compliance cost can vary depending on several factors, such as the size of the organization, the scope of data processing activities, and the complexity of IT infrastructure and security. It may include some fixed necessary costs and some external or miscellaneous costs like training, auditing, or service providers. Here are some of the factors that contribute to GDPR compliance costs:

1. Data mapping & inventory

To comply with GDPR, organizations must understand what personal data they collect, store, and process, and where that data is located. This requires a comprehensive data mapping and inventory exercise that can be time-consuming and resource-intensive.

2. Personnel

GDPR compliance requires personnel with a deep understanding of the regulation and its requirements.

Organizations may need to hire or train personnel to handle GDPR compliance tasks, such as data protection officers, and apart from them, additional staff may be needed to manage privacy notices, conduct risk assessments, and handle data subject requests.

3. IT infrastructure & security

Organizations must ensure that their IT infrastructure and security measures are adequate to protect personal data. This may involve implementing new security measures or upgrading existing ones, such as firewalls, encryption, and access controls.

4. Privacy notices & policies

To comply with GDPR, organizations must provide data subjects with clear and concise privacy notices that explain how their personal data is collected, used, and protected. This requires the development of comprehensive privacy policies and notices, which can be time-consuming and require legal consultation.

5. Training & Awareness

GDPR compliance requires personnel to have a deep understanding of the regulation and its requirements. Organizations must invest in training and awareness programs to ensure that personnel understand their roles and responsibilities in protecting personal data.

6. Legal counsel & consultation

GDPR compliance can be complex, and organizations may need to seek legal counsel and consultation to ensure that they are complying with the regulation. This can be an additional cost that organizations must factor into their compliance budget.

GDPR Compliance Cost Estimate

Estimating the cost of GDPR compliance is challenging as it depends on several factors unique to each organization. A study by PwC estimates that the average cost of GDPR compliance for a mid-sized company with 500 employees is around €1.3 million. Larger organizations with more extensive data processing activities may face higher compliance costs.

However, the cost of non-compliance with GDPR can be much higher. Organizations that fail to comply with GDPR can face financial penalties, loss of reputation, and damage to customer trust. Investing in GDPR compliance can ultimately save organizations money by avoiding non-compliance fines and reputational damage.

Consequences Of Non-Compliance With GDPR

Non-compliance with GDPR can result in severe financial penalties. The regulation imposes fines of up to €20 million or 4% of the organization’s global annual turnover (whichever is higher) for non-compliance. In addition to financial penalties, non-compliance with GDPR can also damage an organization’s reputation and lead to a loss of customer trust.

Tips For Reducing GDPR Compliance Cost

While GDPR compliance can be costly, there are several steps organizations can take to reduce their compliance costs. These include:

• Conducting a comprehensive data mapping and inventory exercise to identify the personal data that the organization collects, stores, and processes.
• Implementing appropriate security measures, such as encryption and access controls, to protect personal data.
• Developing clear and concise privacy policies and notices that are easy to understand.
• Providing training and awareness programs to personnel to ensure that they understand their roles and responsibilities in protecting personal data.
• Seeking legal consultation and advice early in the compliance process to avoid costly mistakes.

By following these tips, organizations can reduce their GDPR compliance costs while still meeting their legal and regulatory obligations.

Conclusion

GDPR compliance is not just a matter of legal and regulatory compliance; it also has financial implications for organizations. Compliance costs can vary depending on several factors, such as the size of the organization, the scope of data processing activities, and the complexity of IT infrastructure and security. However, investing in GDPR compliance can ultimately save organizations money by avoiding non-compliance fines and reputational damage. By following the tips outlined in this article, organizations can reduce their GDPR compliance costs while still meeting their legal and regulatory obligations.

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.