Data Leakage Protection: The #1 Overlooked Security Risk
As an organisation, you will gather, process, use, and store data—both consumer data and the enterprise’s own data (financial reports, marketing strategies, employee information, etc.). But you’re at risk of constant data leaks, and a data leakage protection system is important to prevent reputational damage, financial loss, and legal consequences. What is Data Leakage Protection? Data leakage protection is the total cybersecurity processes and technologies used to protect sensitive data and business information from loss, corruption, deletion, and, above all, leakage. Similar to data loss prevention, it’s an all-round cybersecurity measure that ensures organisations keep their data in and simultaneously avert the negative consequences of data compromise. Additionally, data leakage protection (DLP) ensures enterprises maintain compliance with relevant data regulations, e.g., GDPR and NDPA. What Is a Data Leak? A data leak happens when sensitive information is accidentally and unintentionally exposed to unauthorised parties. Data leaks can occur via the internet, physically through devices, or as simple as sending emails to the wrong recipients. Although the term sounds similar to ‘data breach,” where data leaks are usually accidental, data breaches result from malicious intents, especially from the outside. What causes data leaks? Data leaks are commonly caused by poor data security that allows just anyone through, weak or stolen passwords, a lack of employee training, and even physical attacks. But data leaks happen in one of the following ways: Accidental Data Leaks: most data leaks are intentional and occur from mistakes such as sending sensitive mail to the wrong recipient(s). Some happen due to wrong data security settings that usher hackers in. Insider Threats: Like data protection in the fintech industry, insider threats remain a stumbling block to cybersecurity. A current or former employee or contractor with access to sensitive information may decide to leak it for malicious intent. Malicious Attacks: To gain access to sensitive data, cybercriminals use several technologies to attack the organisation’s database. These cyberattacks come in the form of malware, ransomware, and phishing attacks. Once unauthorised access is gained, data exfiltration takes place. Why is Data Leakage Protection Important? It doesn’t matter whether it’s customer details, financial documents, or even business plans; once data lands in the wrong hands, severe consequences follow. First is reputational damage; clients will lose trust in the brand, leading to drawbacks in the order of business. Second, for every occurrence of a data breach, fines and sanctions are imposed by data regulation. Take, for example, when the NDPR fined fidelity bank for a data breach. These setbacks incurred from data leaks and breaches destroy business deals and jeopardize more opportunities for the victim company. Now, digital transformation makes protecting data difficult; every company prefers remote work, and cloud storage is the main deal now. This puts data security in a delicate situation because these serve as an entrypoint for data breaches. Therefore, businesses must come up with a data leakage protection policy that guards against data loss or leakages. How Does Data Leakage Protection Work? A data leakage protection solution works by scrutinizing the content and context of data moving in, out, and around the organization. It’s an absolute analysis that includes emails and even data sent through text messages. Safe to conclude, a data leakage protection system carries out:Content Analysis: where the solution uses a variety of tools and techniques to ensure the specific content of messages and internet traffic meet the predetermined policies. Context Analysis: the scrutinisation of external factors such as file size and format of a message. Once a data leakage solution senses the data doesn’t meet the set requirements, it prevents such data from leaving the organization. At the same time, it alerts the data security team of a potential data leak or loss. Here are some of the techniques most DLP solutions use: Categorisation: Examines data types to detect sensitive information and prevent potential compliance risks. Exact file matching: compares unique file signatures to identify identical data sets precisely. Partial data matching: identifies complete or partial matches of specific file contents. Statistical analysis: Applies advanced machine learning techniques to automatically detect and flag potential data leak risks. Regular expression matching: scans for specific data patterns like credit card numbers (16 digits), Social Security numbers (9 digits), and other structured information formats. What Are the Features of a Data Leakage Protection (DLP) Solution? Data leakage protection (DLP) solutions are comprised of cybersecurity tools designed to prevent unauthorised data exposure and safeguard sensitive information across an organisation’s system. Here are the 7 key features of an effective Data Leakage Protection (DLP) solution: Benefits of Data Leakage Protection The benefits of a data leakage protection system are numerous and straightforward. Conclusion Data leaks happen unintentionally but they are preventable. Investing in a comprehensive data leakage protection system enables the organisation to curb data loss or leaks. Summarily, the importance of data leakage protection in cybersecurity is immeasurable, as it prevents breaches and boycotts legal penalties from data regulations. Frequently Asked Questions What’s the difference between data leak and data breach? Data leaks are often unintentional and may result from inside the organisation, while data breaches are malicious in nature. What’s the difference between data leakage protection and data loss prevention? Data loss prevention primarily focuses on preventing data from being accidentally or intentionally lost, destroyed, or rendered inaccessible. While Data Leak Protection specifically targets unauthorised data exposure or transmission outside organisational boundaries. What does DLP stand for? DLP may stand for data leak prevention, data leakage prevention, data leak protection, data loss prevention, or data loss protection
Data Loss Prevention (DLP): The Silent Killer of Your Business
The consequences of data loss have never been higher; data must be shielded at all costs. So, this blog provides more information on the prevention of data loss. What is Data Loss Prevention? Data loss prevention (DLP) is the process of detecting and preventing data breaches, exfiltration, and even misuse by using cybersecurity strategies, processes, and technologies. The root of this equation is data; it’s a common factor for all businesses and organisations worldwide. What’s it used for? A typical organisation (business or not) keeps client data—personal, sensitive, etc., for record keeping, transaction processing, marketing, and competitor analysis. Cybercriminals use this data for varying reasons, majorly money-driven. While organisations keep them for ease of business and eventually increased profitability, cybercriminals make money off data through financial frauds, identity thefts, etc. The landscape further worsens with each technological advancement. Now, thousands of authorised users access the company’s database through cloud and on-premises facilities. Therefore, there’s a need to implement strategies to prevent data loss. With DLP, organisations detect data threats faster than usual. How? It tracks data throughout the system and implements security policies on that data. Organisations typically use DLP to: Why is Data Loss Prevention Important? Data is never safe; it doesn’t matter if it’s in use or at rest, making data protection and security complicated. Despite the stress, data loss prevention is the best step. Why? The costs of data loss surpass the technicalities of its prevention. According to the cost of a data breach report by IBM, the average cost of a data breach reached USD 4.88 million, a 10% jump from the previous year. Protecting data, particularly personal identifiable information (PII), became more difficult because data may be used and stored in several formats in multiple locations across various departments. Therefore, there’s a need to monitor each data point and enforce the necessary policy for it. Given the vulnerable nature of data, an ideal data loss prevention system must be able to monitor data when Types and Causes of Data Loss Data loss is often defined as events of data breaches, data leakages, or data exfiltration. Though used interchangeably, these terms have distinct meanings. Data breach: A data breach is any incident that leads to unauthorised access to data. Under this, we have cyberattacks and other incidents that allow unauthorised access to sensitive information. Data leakage: Like the name leakage, data leakages include accidental exposure of sensitive information to the public. This can occur from procedural security errors from both electronic and online transfers. Data exfiltration: This is any theft where the attacker (hacker) successfully moves stolen data to a device under his control. Data exfiltration cannot occur without a breach or leakage, but not every breach/leakage leads to exfiltration. Since data loss has been defined and categorised, let’s see its causes There are 3 Common Causes of Data Loss Cyberattacks Malicious actors target data all the time—relentlessly. To help their cause, they employ several techniques such as phishing, malware, and ransomware. These are the prevalent types of cyberattacks Insider threats Authorised users, such as staff, third parties, stakeholders, providers, etc., might put data at risk through carelessness and malicious intent even. It’s as simple as not updating passwords or even carelessly revealing sensitive enterprise data, etc. while using public networks. Malicious or not, insider threats remain very costly considering IBM’s report. Smartphone or PC theft An unattended device attracts thieves. It doesn’t matter if the thief pawns off the device; the organisation suffers the cost of cutting the stolen device off and replacing it. On a serious note, such incidents grant malicious users direct access to confidential or sensitive data. Data Loss Prevention Policies One thing about DLP is the wide coverage, from data classification, access control, and encryption standards to technical controls. With data loss prevention policies, the standard is clear: employees know their duties regarding data protection and security. In addition, it allows for proper staff training on data security best practices such as threat identification, data handling, and incidence reporting. Also, rather than a generalised security approach, with DLP, data is classified, and implementing appropriate security protocols for each group becomes easier. For example, handling PII (personally identifiable information), such as credit card numbers, social security numbers, etc., is subject to certain data security regulations. Meanwhile, the company can choose to do whatever with its own intellectual property (IP). These types of data require different security procedures; hence, tailored DLP policies are necessary. The Types of DLP Solutions It’s important to understand the different facets of data loss prevention for better comprehension. There are 3 types of DLP: Network DLP Network DLP solutions monitor how data moves through—in and out—networks. With tools like artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, they flag anomalies that signal data loss in a network. Although network DLP solutions monitor data in motion, many check data in use or at rest too. Endpoint DLP Endpoint DLP tools monitor data use activity on laptops, mobile devices, servers, and other devices accessing the network. These solutions are directly installed on the devices and even go the extra mile to block unauthorised data transfers between devices. Cloud DLP Cloud security solutions focus on data stored in and accessed by cloud services. They scan, classify, monitor, and even encode data in cloud repositories. Particularly, these tools help implement access control policies on individual end users and any cloud services that might access company data. How DLP Works DLP is typically a 4-step procedure for many security teams. The steps are:
All You Should Know About Fintech Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity is the practice of protecting data, computers, servers, mobile devices, software, and all other hardware from malicious attacks. One thing is sure: the most valuable resource in today’s world is data, and it’s a justified fact. One look at the world, and we see an unfathomable evolution—digital transformation. Every industry has begun to embrace the digital space, and financial institutions are not left behind. While we welcome the collaboration between technology and the financial industry, there’s a need to stay on top of the challenges it brings. So, as an individual who finds mobile payments lifesaving or a fintech startup trying to prevent cyberthreats, this article is for you. Read on for the importance of cybersecurity in fintech, the challenges it faces, and the best practices to encourage it. Cybersecurity in Fintech: The Landscape Over the last few years, business as we know it changed, especially the financial industry. The fusion of finance and technology has changed everything. But the dangers increased just as much. When it comes to cybersecurity, the fintech industry can be described with one word, “sensitive,” and its synonyms. Why? To carry out financial transactions on behalf of clients, sensitive data like credit card details, account balances, and pins needs to be stored. Now, cybercriminals attack fintechs for these data—it’s that important. And the modus operandi of these malicious actors do not remain stagnant. They constantly come up with newer and better technology that outsmart whatever defence fintech companies use. All thanks to AI and self-learning software. So, what are Fintechs doing about it? According to Gartner, 75% of companies intend to adopt new solutions that combat the growing global cybersecurity issue caused by new technology challenges. Fintech companies now embrace new cyber solutions and establish partnerships to strengthen their systems against online attacks. Although the careless attitude of employees constitutes some of the chinks in cybersecurity in fintech, fintech employees are part of the most cyber-aware among other industries. To combat the loose-employee side, fintech companies now support cybersecurity with new and better ID solutions. So, let’s move to the fun part. Importance of cybersecurity in Fintech To start with, cybersecurity in fintech serves as a shield for invaluable financial data such as personal information, account details, and transaction details. The consequences of a data breach in the industry can be catastrophic, going beyond identity theft and financial fraud. Implementing cybersecurity is not just a luxury but a necessary practice. It’s important to keep the trust users place in these institutions. When a data breach occurs, fintechs face massive reputational damage, the likes of which they might never recover from. It’s a case of “once bitten, twice shy.” Victims of financial fraud will never trust the institution anymore. To prevent eventual shutdowns due to customer migration and legal consequences, implementing cybersecurity in fintech is crucial. In addition, there’s a need to note that each individual fintech company’s part of a larger network. So, a successful cyberattack in one company is detrimental to others in the industry. To prevent a chain reaction, cybersecurity is best established. The challenges to cybersecurity in fintech Here’s a list of things that make cybersecurity more than a walk in the park Data breaches A data breach occurs when an unauthorised person gains access to personal and sensitive data. This can trigger negative consequences due to the nature of the breached data. For instance, there’s credit card fraud, where cybercriminals clear the victim’s account. And identity theft, when malicious actors perpetrate evil with the victim’s identity. As a fintech company, you must ensure adequate cybersecurity to prevent such occurrences. If not, the consequences will be dire. Insider threat An isider threat is a security risk to data that comes from inside the organisation—the staff. While fintech employees are more aware of cybersecurity than other industries, they aren’t perfect. According to research by the think tank EndPoint Ecosystem, a little over 50% of finance workers believe security policies restrict the way they work, and 49% confess to finding a way to work around their security policies. This shows how much insecurity surrounds data in the fintech world. New technologies The emergence of sophisticated technologies heralds progress and spells doom at the same time. Yes, some technologies are welcome, like the blockchain. Blockchain technology provides a decentralised and immutable ledger that can improve the security and transparency of financial transactions. But other technologies like AI and IoT increase the vulnerability of cybersecurity in fintech to cyberthreats. For example, IoT devices serve as an entry point for cyberattacks, while AI-powered attacks easily find loopholes in the security system. With these, fintech companies best implement authentication and other access control methods to guard up. Compliance with regulations There’s a host of data protection regulations out there, and fintech companies are bound to a few of them. Some of the key data regulations include the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), and the Federal Information Security Modernisation Act (FISMA). Non-compliance with these data regulations results in harsh penalties—either monetary fines or outright shutdowns. Now, GDPR compliance does not come cheap; it has some particularly expensive requirements, such as hiring a Data Protection Officer and conducting DPIAs (Data Protection Impact Assessments). The cost of compliance poses a challenge to cybersecurity in fintech, especially startups. Third-party risks Third-party vendors help the fintech industry a lot, especially startups who need to outsource services. Yes, they offer lots of assistance, but they bring additional risks to cybersecurity in fintech. Some third parties may not ensure adequate security against cyberthreats, and any fintech doing business with them becomes vulnerable. The way forward is to make sure to outsource tasks to third parties with adequate cybersecurity measures in place. Best practices for cybersecurity in fintech Since we know the common cybersecurity threats in fintech, now’s the time to learn how best to prevent them and limit their impact. Here’s a list of the best cybersecurity practices for fintechs. Conduct regular audits Regular security audits will help you identify and
Top 6 Data Security Challenges Enterprises Face and How to Mitigate Them
Data security has always been important to businesses. But nowadays, its vitality becomes more pronounced. Why? The use of data is tightly woven into the day-to-day activities of enterprises now more than ever. From marketing to competitor analysis to payment methods, data, particularly sensitive data, has earned its keep. Today, we’ll go into the common data security challenges enterprises face and how to mitigate them. What’s going on? Just before we launch into the challenges, let’s take a minute to familiarise with the terrain. It’s important to note that organisations constantly stage a fight—a losing one nonetheless—against cyberattacks of all kinds. The increased spending on cybersecurity in recent years proves that enterprises take the whole thing seriously. Regardless, the data security challenges still seem insurmountable. Why is data security important? The evolution of the workforce from traditional to remote and hybrid created wide gaps in the organisation that let cybercriminals in. and these vulnerabilities expose the enterprise to several consequences ranging from mild to severe. First, there’s unnecessary expenditure. To curtail the effects of a data breach, lots of money will be spent. Although some companies take out insurances to cover the cost, it doesn’t get the job done every time. Factor in the lawsuits from affected customers, and the numbers can only go higher. There’s also the reputational damage to consider. Seeing as no one would trust a brand prone to losing data integrity to constant cyberattacks, organisations need to embrace data security to avoid terrible fates. Also, data protection regulations around the world emphasise the importance of data security. For instance, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) mandates appropriate data security measures as part of its basic requirements. And non-compliance comes with hefty fines and penalties. In 2022, Facebook was fined €265 million after personal data (facebook IDs, location, phone number, email address, etc.) was found on a website for hackers. Another instance: The British ICO issued a €20.4 million fine to Marriott International for failing to secure customers’ personal data. This incidence compromised almost 339 million guest records—personal and sensitive data included. Top data security challenges enterprises face Although businesses now take bold steps towards data security, it still isn’t 100% sufficient. There are some challenges that make securing data stressful—if not impossible. Here’s a compilation of a few data security challenges enterprises face for awareness sake. One thing’s sure: different operational teams make up a successful enterprise. Since data is the heart of each activity, each operational team will have it’s own data and database—very good and efficient. Now, where the problem lies is visibility or transparency. For large organisations with numerous departments, the central team (admin) usually finds it difficult to keep track of every piece of data used, stored, etc. by each team. This makes data security tedious; why? Without knowledge of what’s what, we can’t know exactly what security measures to use. Nowadays, individuals generate large amounts of data daily, which organisations in turn use. Sounds nice and cool till it’s time to secure it. Although large corporations benefit greatly from their large pool of data, securing it requires so much technology, money, and effort. The sheer amount of data leaves several ends unprotected and grants cybercriminals an attack opportunity. In addition, employees use repeated passwords to access personal and professional devices and even connect to insecure networks. That way, they unknowingly leave the door open for malicious actors. With malware becoming very easy to use, malicious actors need alarmingly little to cause significant data issues for their target. Managing cloud and digital infrastructure is a task that requires top-notch skills. You can’t just pick up any John Doe on the streets to help secure data; professionals are needed for the job. Normally, it’s not easy getting skilled workers in any industry. That the “great resignation” is affecting many organisations, the lack of skilled workers poses a challenge to data security for enterprises. Although data breaches disturb the operations of the organisation, customers and clients end up on the receiving end. At the end of the day, it’s the personal data of the individual that leaks. So, to curb these, data protection laws and regulations were enacted. These regulations, like the GDPR of the EU, the Nigerian Data Protection Regulation (NDPR), etc., grant data subjects (data owners) more control over their data and how it’s used. As a consequence, they pose a challenge to enterprises due to their stringent rules. Next is the cost. To properly comply with data security laws, organisations need to implement functional systems to keep track of compliance activities, e.g., GDPR compliance software. And such software doesn’t come cheap. Besides the cost of procuring these systems, their installments don’t come cheap. That’s not including the regular upgrade and cost of hiring a data compliance officer. While growth is a welcome development in every institution, it comes with inconveniences also. Managing data security and privacy solutions can test even the most experienced professionals in the field. For one, budget doesn’t always increase with the pressing demand for better security systems that growth brings, putting treams already struggling with data security under more pressure. The urgent need to install new systems quickly may lead to a situation where maintaining control becomes a concern for CISOs. Remote work is now part of the grand scheme for enterprises that wish to stay up-to-date and retain talents. In fact, it’s recommended that every organisation finds a way to embrace remote work fully, or at least, try out hybrid work mode. Then, securing each endpoint becomes necessary to protect the enterprise. The new landscape and policies that come with hybrid work prove a challenge to data security. This concludes the top 6 data security challenges enterprises face. Tips to mitigate these challenges Now that you know what challenges you’ll most likely face, here’s how your organisation can improve data security. Reduce the attack surface This is achieved by placing an access limit on sensitive data. This additional security control pops up right before accessing critical business info. This approach, referred to as the zero trust
GDPR Consent Statement: What It Is and How to Write One
Consent is an important part of human society, particularly the modern one. Whether it’s using a friend’s property or establishing an amorous relationship, “yes” matters a lot. Let’s link this back to data protection. Since it’s implementation, the GDPR places value on consent. This blog post gives answers about consent under the GDPR, what a GDPR consent statement is, and how to write one. What is a GDPR consent statement? In cases where organisations need to obtain consent, it’s vital that the clients or persons are informed. To do that, a GDPR consent statement becomes necessary. A GDPR consent statement is a clear declaration by organisations to get consent from individuals before collecting, processing, and storing their data. This is in accordance with the General Data Processing Regulation (GDPR). What is the GDPR? On may 25, 2018, the European Union decided it was time to toughen up data protection. And so the GDPR came to be. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is the most comprehensive law for data protection in the world, with many adaptations of it. For example, the NDPA (Nigerian Data Protection Act) The goal of the law is to grant data subjects (owners of data) more control over their data and it’s processing. majorly, the GDPR focusses on personal data and sensitive data. Under the EU regulation, personal data refers to information that identifies an individual,e.g, name, age, job, etc. while sensitive data under the GDPR include vulnerable data such as bank details, National Identification Number, health status, etc. The Basic Principles of the GDPR : Who does the GDPR apply to? The GDPR applies to any organizations that When it comes to punishing the non-compliant, the General Data Protection Regulation earned it’s reputation as the strictest data protection law. For example, the Italian data protection authority, the Garante, issued its largest GDPR fine of over €79 million against ENEL Energia for telemarketing misconduct. So, you don’t want to get on the wrong side of the law. Need help with GDPR compliance? Book a free consultation with our experts at Johan Consults. Consent and the GDPR The GDPR places a lot of importance on data subject consent to data processing. Although consent is one of the lawful basis for processing data, it’s not compulsory. What does that mean? A common myth of the GDPR is that you always need consent to process data. That’s not true. In fact, you can find other reasons if consent proves hard to get. Consent is only appropriate when you are sure you can stop processing when the subject opts out. Because it would be terrible if you went ahead to process data even when the individual said now. Also, consent as a precondition of a service may not be lawful So, if you can process data legally without consent, go ahead. Otherwise, you might face harsh penalties for wrong consent practices. What is valid consent? The GDPR places utmost priority on consent and how it’s gotten. Here’s what the GDPR considers valid consent. Consent given freely; this is very important. With no form of coercion or similar acts. The individual must have genuine choice and control over their data—no hanky-panky. The consent includes the data controller’s identity, processing purpose, and the procedure for processing. Valid explicit consent must be communicated in words, and consent requests must be clear and unbundled from other information. That way, it’s easily identified. So, what’s the importance of a GDPR consent statement? The following are reasons to use a GDPR consent statement Example of a GDPR Consent Statement The example below serves as a perfect depiction of a GDPR-compliant consent statement. Let’s measure it against the key features of a consent form. “By checking this box, I consent to Techdella collecting and processing my personal data for the purpose of receiving newsletters, marketing materials, and service updates. I understand that my data may be shared with third-party partners for analytics and marketing purposes. I also acknowledge that I have the right to withdraw my consent at any time by contacting support@techdella.com, and I can request access to, modify, or delete my data. For more details, see our Privacy Policy.” The key elements of a GDPR consent statement Purpose: A clear explanation of why data is collected and how it’ll be used—’for the purpose of receiving newsletters, marketing materials, and service updates.’ Data sharing: whether data will be shared with third- parties and “may be shared with third-party partners for analytics and marketing purposes.”. User rights: The consent statement must inform individuals about their rights, such as access, rectification, and consent withdrawal. – “The right to withdraw my consent at any time by contacting support@techdella.com, and I can request access to, modify, or delete my data.” Clear action: it must have an an opt-in mechanism like a checkbox for explicit consent. – “By checking this box, I consent.” Contact details: Lastly, a valid consent statement must provide contact details for data protection. – “support@techdella.com” How To Write a GDPR Consent Statement Since you know what a consent statement should contain for valid consent, here’s a step-by-step guide to writing a compliant GDPR consent statement. State clearly the purpose for which you’re collecting data. Be very specific; is it for marketing, analytics, or whatever? Also, if there are more reasons than one, make sure to state them separately. This ensures enough clarity. Ensure users take explicit actions to give their consent. Examples: clicking a button, checking a box. Note: pre-checked boxes aren’t acceptable. Importantly, avoid implied consent, like continuing to use a website as a form of acceptance. If you’ll share the data with a third party for any reason, include who they are and what they do, together with the reason why. Additionally, if data transfers will happen, let them know where to and how the data will be protected. Your consent statement must include how long you will store data and what will be done once it’s not needed anymore. Include the following rights of individuals in it: Make sure to provide instructions on how users
Top 12 GDPR requirements you must know in 2024
Top 12 GDPR requirements you must know in 2024 Towards the early 2000s, the European Union realised the need to regulate data protection and security. Although some other factors were involved, the fast rise of the internet became the final push for a data protection regulation. This brought about the implementation of the GDPR. On May 25, 2018, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) came into existence. The main goal of the GDPR is to give data subjects (owners of data) more control and protection over how their data is collected, processed, used, and stored by organisations. An important point to note is that the GDPR applies to every organisation that operates in the EU or handles data belonging to an EU citizen, wherever they are. Now, there are several GDPR requirements for organisations, and this article provides a summary of them. Lawful, fair, and transparent processing Shouldn’t be hard, right? Yes, it sounds straightforward, but according to IT Governance UK, it’s the most violated GDPR requirement. Article 5 of the GDPR mandates every organisation handling data to have a legal reason to do so. Meaning, you can’t collect, process, and store personal information for any random purpose. To know if your processing is lawful, check it against the GDPR’s lawful basis for processing. For data processing transparency, you should communicate clearly your ways of processing, in addition to the lawful reasons, to the data subjects. For this, you should make privacy notices and ensure data owners have easy access to it. Purpose limitation This requirement addresses another issue. With this, every organisation can process data for the lawful purpose clearly stated ONLY. This means that you cannot process collected data for reasons beyond the initial purpose. Data minimisation Isn’t it better to collect all the data you can get from each subject in one go? While it sounds reasonable, the GDPR kicks against it. You can only collect data necessary for the stated purpose. For instance, in research for the average height of males, the HIV/AIDS status of the subject isn’t needed. As such, you shouldn’t collect it. Accuracy No organisation should keep or process incorrect data. As such, data accuracy under the GDPR is mandated and effective immediately upon discovery. Storage limitation There‘s a limit to how long an organisation’s keep data after processing. Of course, there are unique timeframes for each type of data. In summary, data retention under the GDPR cannot be longer than necessary. Integrity and confidentiality The GDPR states that organisations must implement technical measures to ensure data security. Such methods include encryption, data masking, etc. Accountability Yes, the GDPR requires absolute compliance by organizations. And so they have to show proof of their compliance. Struggling with GDPR compliance? Contact Johan’s Consult now for a free 1-1 consultation.Data Subject Rights Since the goal of the data protection regulation is to give subjects more control, it makes sense that there are GDPR rights for individuals. The right to be informed Entities (organisations) must tell individuals what data is collected, how it’ll be processed, and the purpose. And these must be communicated clearly in plain language. Right to rectification Should the data subject discover any inaccuracies in its data, he/she can request that the organisation correct it. Now, the organisation has a month to rectify the inaccuracy. But there are exceptions. The right to access An individual can demand a copy of his/her personal data. Once the individual submits DSARS (data subjects access requests), the organisation has one month to oblige the request. Right to erasure Under certain circumstances, individuals can ask organisations to delete their data permanently. For example, cases of unlawful processing and when the data is no longer necessary. Right to data portability Individuals can obtain and reuse their personal data for personal reasons. This right is for data given to the organisation through contract or consent. The right to object When organisations want to process data for lawful reasons, they give subjects the right to object to the processing. Unless they have valid reasons not to, organisations must stop processing when individuals exercise this right. Want to learn how to write a GDPR-compliant consent statement? Click here. Privacy by design This concept has been around for awhile. Although it used to be a best practice for data protection, the GDPR mandates it for every organisation. This requirement mandates organisations to implement technical and organisational measures to ensure data protection and Use security measures to implement the GDPR principles. To help you track your compliance journey, make use of this checklist. Data transfers In the event that an organisation needs to transfer data between borders, the GDPR requires additional steps. However, if you’re moving data within the EU, you’re exempt from extra requirements. For data transfers with third-party countries—outside the EU—Article 46 outlines protection steps. Basically, this situation’ll need an SCC (standard contractual clauses). An SCC is used for data transfers between an EU country and a third-party country. Data protection impact assessment A DPIA (Data Protection Impact Assessment) helps organisations identify and reduce risks associated with data processing. It’s required in situations where sensitive information or data of vulnerable persons’ is processed. Article 35 of the GDPR speaks on the concept of DPIA and states that it is required where data processing “is likely to result in a high risk to rights and freedom of natural persons.”. The regulation does not explicitly define high risk, but it generally refers to the use of: systematic and extensive profiling; Special category or criminal offence data on a large scale; and Systematic monitoringof publicly accessible places on a large scale For a better grip on GDPR compliance, you can use GDPR compliance software. Data protection officer A DPO (Data Protection Officer) is an individual trained in the technicalities of data protection who helps organisations with data protection in compliance with data protection regulations. Article 39 explains the roles of a data protection officer (DPO). highlights include: advising and training staff on their data protection responsibilities; Monitoring the organisation’s data protection policies and procedures; Overseeing
