The implementation of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in May 2018 is getting closer, and for some businesses, it’s a matter of catching up with what the changes mean to their management processes. The GDPR is the most sweeping change to online security in over a decade, and failing to address the needs that it enforces is the fastest way to get a crippling fine. The ways that we store data online, in particular the data of our customers, are all going to need to be updated and changed, and failure to do so can levy fines of up to €20 million or 4% of your business turnover. The GDPR is causing many business owners to panic as the deadline draws closer, but even if you’re only just starting to consider what needs to be done to keep yourself protected legally, then you still have time to plan your update strategy. Here are the best ways to ready yourself for GDPR.
Learn about GDPR
As consumers, our data is used at the moment in a variety of ways, many of which are not beneficial to us. Intrusive adverts and targeted marketing campaigns are just one of the ways that we find our data used against us, and the GDPR is tackling that issue as its priority. One of the key terms is going to be that you need to prove what data you keep and what you use it for. This alone is going to cause a huge overhaul when it comes to your data storage strategies, and you’re going to need to do some research about exactly what you need to do to keep in line with the new legislation changes.
Upgrade your security
One of the other main points of the GDPR is that of data protection, and it very specifically requires that you keep your customers’ data safe and secure. There are a number of ways that you ensure that this is indeed the case, and taking a look at your current systems is a good start. Are your firewalls being updated to take advantage of the latest upgrades, and if not, why not? Many people consider firewalls to be a superficial means of online protection, with many opting to use Sonic Wall technology to give their security a boost. No matter what systems you decide to use, they need to be assessed and updated on a regular basis in order to maximize your online security.
Don’t ignore it
Making sure that your business is ready for the GDPR changes can seem like a very daunting task. However, if you make the decision early, then you still have plenty of time to make the necessary changes to your data storage that the law will make a legal requirement. Not only will you have to keep that data secure, you are also going to need to be able to justify the data that you do keep, and that may well prove to be the most challenging of tasks for businesses that aren’t making preparations now.
