Privacy is becoming more important than ever before. Hence, it is crucial for businesses to comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). But what exactly is GDPR certification? GDPR stands for General Data Protection Regulation, which is a comprehensive privacy law that was introduced by the European Union (EU) in May 2018. It is designed to give individuals in the EU greater control over their personal data and to harmonize data protection laws across the EU.
Under GDPR, individuals have the right to know what personal data is being collected about them, to access that data, and to request that it be deleted. Organizations that collect and process personal data must comply with strict rules and regulations, such as obtaining explicit consent for data processing, implementing appropriate data security measures, and reporting data breaches within 72 hours.
Non-compliance with GDPR can result in significant fines and penalties, with the maximum fine being up to €20 million or 4% of a company’s global annual revenue, whichever is higher. The law applies to all organizations, regardless of where they are based, if they process personal data of EU residents.
GDPR certification
GDPR certification is not a requirement under the GDPR, but it may be something that companies choose to do in order to demonstrate their compliance with the regulation. There are a number of different certification schemes that have been developed, each with its own requirements.
The most well-known GDPR certification scheme is probably the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield Framework, which was developed by the U.S. Department of Commerce and the European Commission. To participate in this program, companies must self-certify annually that they meet a number of requirements, including ensuring that they have robust data privacy practices in place and providing individuals with certain rights with respect to their personal data.
Another popular GDPR certification scheme is ISO/IEC 27001:2013 Information security management systems – Requirements. This is an international standard that specifies requirements for an information security management system (ISMS). Companies that are certified under this standard must have systems and controls in place to protect personal data from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, or destruction.
Benefits of Obtaining GDPR Certification
The regulation applies to any company that processes or intends to process the data of individuals in the EU, regardless of whether those individuals are citizens or residents of the EU. This includes companies based outside of the EU that offer goods or services to individuals in the EU or that monitor their behavior.
There are many benefits to obtaining GDPR certification, including:
– Showing customers and clients that you take their privacy seriously and are committed to protecting their personal data;
– Demonstrating your commitment to complying with GDPR requirements;
– Enhancing your reputation and credibility;
– Increasing customer trust and confidence;
– Giving you a competitive advantage over businesses that are not certified.
Requirements for Obtaining GDPR Certification
To obtain GDPR certification, your organization must first complete a self-assessment to determine if you meet the requirements. The GDPR requirements are:
* You must have a data protection officer (DPO) who is responsible for overseeing your organization’s compliance with the GDPR.
* You must provide training to all employees who will be handling personal data.
* You must have policies and procedures in place to protect personal data from accidental or unauthorized access, destruction, alteration, or unauthorized use.
* You must have a process in place for responding to data breaches.
* You must have a process in place for individuals to exercise their rights under the GDPR.
* You must be able to demonstrate compliance with the GDPR through audits and other means.
What Sterling offers for GDPR in Philippines
ISO consultants in the Philippines may offer various services related to GDPR compliance. These can include:
- Gap Analysis: ISO consultants can help organizations identify gaps in their current data protection policies and practices, and provide recommendations to comply with GDPR requirements.
- GDPR Readiness Assessment: ISO consultants can conduct a comprehensive assessment of an organization’s readiness to comply with GDPR, and provide a report on the areas that need improvement.
- GDPR Implementation Support: ISO consultants can provide guidance on how to implement GDPR requirements, such as data protection impact assessments, data breach notification procedures, and the appointment of a Data Protection Officer.
- Data Protection Officer (DPO) Services: ISO consultants can act as a DPO for an organization, providing ongoing support and advice on GDPR compliance.
- GDPR Training: ISO consultants can provide training sessions for employees on GDPR compliance, covering topics such as data protection principles, rights of data subjects, and GDPR implementation.
1. Keep a comprehensive and up-to-date record of all personal data processing activities.
2. Conduct regular reviews of data processing activities to ensure they are necessary and proportionate.
3. Establish clear policies and procedures for dealing with data subjects’ rights requests.
4. Educate staff on their obligations under GDPR and provide them with the tools and training they need to comply.
5. Cooperate with supervisory authorities and handle any incidents in accordance with GDPR requirements.
Steps to Achieve GDPR Compliance
1. Assess your data processing activities: Before you can start implementing GDPR compliance measures, you need to first assess your current data processing activities. This will help you identify which areas need improvement in order to meet GDPR requirements.
2. Designate a Data Protection Officer (DPO): Under GDPR, companies must appoint a DPO if they engage in certain types of data processing activities. The DPO is responsible for overseeing the company’s compliance with GDPR requirements.
3. Implement security measures: One of the key requirements of GDPR is ensuring the security of personal data. You will need to implement appropriate security measures to protect the personal data you collect and process from unauthorized access or disclosure. This includes encrypting personal data and using secure passwords.
4. Update your privacy policy: If you collect personal data from individuals, you will need to update your privacy policy to inform them about how their data is used, stored and processed. Your privacy policy must also explain the rights that individuals have with regard to their personal data.
5. Notify individuals of data breaches: GDPR requires companies to notify individuals if their personal data has been breached. This requirement applies even if the breach did not cause any harm or damage. You will need to set up a process for detecting and responding to data breaches in a timely manner.
6. Introduce processes for responding to requests: Under GDPR, individuals have the right to access, delete and modify their personal data that you hold about them. You will need processes in place for efficiently responding to such requests from individuals within one month of receiving them.
7. Train staff on GDPR requirements: Ensure that all staff who come into contact with personal data are aware of GDPR requirements and how they can help ensure compliance with these rules. Make sure that all staff receive regular refresher training on GDPR topics as well as on any new requirements as they arise.
Achieving GDPR compliance is a complex process that requires careful planning and implementation. By following these steps, you can ensure your company is compliant with the new EU data protection laws and avoid any potential fines or sanctions.