Are you a business owner trying to find the best ways to become GDPR compliant with your website? If so, you aren’t alone! Eight out of 10 companies in the United States have taken steps to reach GDPR compliance.
Since it became effective on May 25, 2018, GDPR has been changing the way companies across the globe handle personal data and other sensitive information. Read on to learn more about data privacy compliance and how to follow the requirements of GDPR!
What Is GDPR?
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) exists to protect the personal data of EU natural persons. For the past few years, no other global regulation has caused more confusion and compliance concerns than GDPR.
Since GDPR applies to the personal data of natural persons, it does not include a company or other legal entity in the EU. What is personal data? The better question may be what isn’t personal data.
Personal data encompasses virtually anything that includes personal, identifiable information. You may think of obvious things like someone’s name, address, telephone, and email address. Other data includes pictures of an EU natural person too!
The Requirements
It’s important to become GDPR compliant so that you can avoid heavy fines levied against you or your company by the EU. How can ensure that you are compliant with GDPR as you operate your business day-to-day? What is GDPR compliance?
You must obtain an EU natural person’s consent before you receive their personal data. This means informing each person what you are collecting and why. You also must let them know what you are doing to protect their personal data.
You will need to also tell the EU natural person what steps you are taking to protect their information. It’s a smart business decision for you to have Continuous Compliance Automation to ensure that you are taking reasonable steps to prevent a data leak or other GDPR issue.
Avoid Heavy Fines
Being found non-compliant with GDPR while handling personal data can have devastating consequences for you and your business. Penalties for non-compliance can be rare. When the EU enforces the GDPR against someone else, it can be an expensive and life-changing process.
A GDPR fine can be up to $11.03 million or two percent of a company’s annual revenue, whichever is greater. The $11.03 million mark is at the higher end of the spectrum. For many businesses, a GDPR fine can put them out of business for good.
Understanding Data Privacy Compliance
Data privacy compliance is crucial to your success in the digital world. In today’s global economy, your company’s web presence can make or break your business.
When your website handles the personal data of EU natural persons, being compliant can help streamline your business while avoiding large fines for a violation.
Check out our blog section for posts with other great tips and tricks to incorporate into your daily business operations today!
