5 Ways The GDPR Affects Data Governance: What You Need to Know

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a new EU data protection law that came into effect on May 25, 2018. The GDPR replaces the 1995 EU Data Protection Directive. It strengthens EU data protection rules by giving individuals more control over their personal data and establishing new rights for individuals.

The GDPR applies to any company that processes the personal data of EU citizens, regardless of where the company is located. In this article, we will discuss five ways the GDPR affects data governance and what you need to know about it.

What is Data Governance?

Data governance is the process of ensuring that your organization’s data is collected, processed, and managed in a consistent and secure manner. It involves setting up rules and procedures for collecting, storing, and using data.

Data governance also includes creating policies for protecting data from unauthorized access or alteration and establishing processes for recovering lost or corrupted data. If you’d like more information about the concept of data governance, you can learn more on Profisee’s website.

How The GDPR Affects Data Governance

The GDPR affects data governance in several ways. Here are five of the most important things you need to know:

Appointing A DPO

Under the GDPR, all data controllers must appoint a Data Protection Officer (DPO). A DPO is responsible for monitoring compliance with the GDPR and other data protection laws. The DPO must be independent from the company’s management and report directly to the highest management level.

If your organization processes large amounts of data or your data processing activities are high-risk, you must appoint a DPO.

Implementing Data Controllers

The GDPR requires data controllers to implement risk management processes to protect the personal data they process. These processes must take into account the nature, scope, and purposes of the processing, as well as the risks to the rights and freedoms of individuals. Data controllers must also implement technical and organizational measures to mitigate these risks.

Under the GDPR, data controllers must also have a data retention policy in place. This policy must specify the length of time personal data will be kept and the criteria used for deciding when to delete data.

Data Processor Regulations

The GDPR imposes new obligations on data processors. Data processors must now only process personal data on the instructions of the data controller and must not use the personal data for their own purposes. Data processors must also ensure the security of the personal data they process.

Keeping Activity Records

The GDPR requires data controllers to keep records of personal data processing activities. These records must include the name and contact details of the controller, the purposes of the processing, the categories of personal data processed, and the recipients of the data.

Data controllers must also keep records of any transfers of personal data to third countries or international organizations. These records must include the name and contact details of the recipient, the categories of personal data transferred, and the security measures in place to protect the data.

Reporting Data Breaches

Under GDPR, data controllers must notify the supervisory authority of any data breach within 72 hours of becoming aware of the breach. Data processors must also inform the data controller of any data breaches.

If the data breach poses a high risk to the rights and freedoms of individuals, data controllers must also notify the individuals affected by the breach.

Conclusion

The GDPR’s requirements for data governance are far-reaching, and companies will need to make significant changes to their operations to comply with the new law. However, by taking steps to learn more about the GDPR’s requirements, companies can protect their customers’ data and ensure that they comply with the law.

Adam Hansen
 

Adam is a part time journalist, entrepreneur, investor and father.