Let's talk about GDPR, general data protection regulation and how software can facilitate business work
In the digital age we live in, Personal data protection has become a topic of fundamental importance. With the advent of technologies and the spread of the Internet, more and more information is collected and shared online and the protection of personal data concerns the way this information is managed, used and protected by organizations and companies.
But what exactly is meant by the protection of personal data? In simple terms, it refers to the set of measures and practices adopted to ensure that individuals' personal information is treated securely and with respect for their privacy. This means that companies must collect only the necessary data, obtain the consent of the data subjects, use the information only for legitimate purposes and ensure the security of the data itself.
The GDPR
The importance of personal data protection cannot be underestimated. We live in an era in which sensitive information has become a precious resource for companies: with personal data, organizations can track consumption habits, personalize the user experience and improve their services. However, this collection and use of personal information can also pose significant risks to individuals' privacy if not handled properly.
To protect the privacy of European citizens, the General Data Protection Regulation was introduced (GDPR), or the General Data Protection Regulation. The GDPR is a set of rules and regulations governing the processing of personal data within the European Union. It was adopted on 25 May 2018 and is applicable to all companies that collect, use or process personal data of individuals in the EU, regardless of their location.
What the GDPR provides
The GDPR is extensive and complex and includes several provisions for the protection of personal data. It is important that companies comply with this regulation, taking appropriate measures to guarantee the protection of personal data and respect for the rights of the interested parties. Here are some of the key aspects of the GDPR:
- broad scope of application targeting all companies, both inside and outside the European Union, that process the personal data of individuals in the EU;
- legal basis for data processing: Companies must have a valid legal basis to process the personal data of individuals which includes the explicit consent of the data subject, the performance of a contract, compliance with a legal obligation, the protection of the vital interests of the data subject, the performance of a task in the public interest or the exercise of official authority;
- rights of the interested parties: the GDPR strengthens the rights of individuals regarding their personal data: the right of access, the right to rectification, the right to erasure (or “right to be forgotten”), the right to limit processing, the right to portability data and the right to object to processing;
- transparency obligations: companies must provide clear and transparent information on the use of personal data, including purposes, duration of processing, legal bases, recipients of data and rights of data subjects;
- data breach notification within 72 hours of discovery;
- Privacy by Design and Privacy by Default: the GDPR promotes the adoption of data protection measures from the very beginning of the design process of a system or service (Privacy by Design). Furthermore, it requires that the default settings of a system or service be oriented towards maximum user privacy (Privacy by Default);
- data retention: companies must keep personal data only for the time strictly necessary to achieve the purposes for which they were collected. Data retention must be managed in accordance with the GDPR rules.
Protect personal data with software
An important tool for companies that need to comply with the GDPR is the use of a GDPR software, an application or suite of tools designed to help companies manage the processing of personal data in accordance with the provisions of the standard.
A GDPR software offers several functionalities to simplify the personal data protection process which include the management of consent, the logging of data processing activities, the implementation of technical and organizational security measures, the management of requests from data subjects and the management of data breaches. The software helps companies comply with the provisions of the GDPR efficiently and effectively, minimizing the risk of data breaches and the consequent penalties.
Privacy protection and data protection with the Go Data Protection solution
Opentech is a leading Italian company in the IT sector and specialized in GRC (Governance, Risk & Compliance) which has been working alongside companies for more than twenty years by offering technological and innovative solutions such as the GO GRC 2.0 suite.
In terms of GDPR, the module to buy is GO Data Protection, a high-performance solution that offers IT and operational support by responding to the concept of Privacy by Design. If you care about protecting your customers' privacy and want to always be compliant with the GDPR, request one now advice.
