For most businesses, the approach of the GDPR next year will be a challenge embracing security, and technology. Data privacy means not only keeping data secure, but also making sure that information is stored properly, and giving customers access to that data when required.
Even organisations that focus on building security to the point of excluding all concerns with data management could find themselves risking a lack of GDPR compliance. Fortunately, there are a few keep principles of data privacy that could help you stay on the right side of the new regulations.
1. Figuring Out How to Store Data
Storing data is a key concern in the GDPR world. Article 5 of the GDPR outlines that data must be kept in a manner which allows for the identification of data subjects for no longer than necessary. In other words, data shouldn’t be stored after it’s already served its initial “usefulness” requirements.
The challenge for businesses today is making sure that when the information you keep is no longer relevant, you know how to remove it quickly, and efficiently. Any lingering data in your system could be enough for a GDPR breach.
2. Giving Customers Access to Data
The “article 15” section for the GDPR outlines a customer’s right to access their own data. In other words, it indicates that consumers have the right to obtain information as to whether personal data about them is being processed, and also the right to look at that data when required.
Businesses need to make sure that when a legitimate request to access data comes from their customers, they can instantly provide that information.
3. Correcting Inaccurate Data
The next section of the GDPR, article 16, says that customers have the right to ask companies to amend or rectify inaccurate personal data about them. This will include the right to having any incomplete data files completed.
Organisations need to make sure that they can open the personal data they’ve stored to opportunities for modification by consumers, without risking any changes that might make the data unusable for any reason.
