Mitigate privacy risks to your customers and organization!

Privacy risk can exist throughout the data life cycle, so it is important to manage and govern data properly. A number of privacy risk management activities can be undertaken during the data life cycle. Designing a privacy risk management framework is the first step to ensuring data validation and data protection, monitoring and controlling data, and complying with all applicable laws and regulations.

The Continuum GRC ITAM SaaS platform has privacy modules available, such as:

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Compliance

If you are a company that does business in Europe, you are undoubtedly seeking GDPR assessment and accreditation solutions. You may have already guessed that, between the preparation costs to get ready for a GDPR audit, as well as the third-party assessment organization to audit and certify your company, the expenses begin piling up.

Modules include:

  • General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) attestation

Want to see how prepared you really are?

Take our FREE GDPR readiness assessment and download your report today. Follow this link to create an account and see how compliant with GDPR you really are!

GDPR Compliance Certification is Valuable

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a law from the European Union that’s meant to protect the personal data of those within the EU. It’s designed to ensure that their data is processed lawfully and transparently, with organizations following certain security measures. There are strict rules around consent, access, transparency, and accountability.

With so many companies working across EU borders these days, showing GDPR compliance with these standards enhances their reputation and builds trust with customers. Of course, following GDPR regulations also enhances their company’s overall security. Achieving GDPR compliance can greatly expand opportunities into new markets.

Our Areas Of Assistance

Continuum GRC is thoroughly versed in what’s needed to achieve GDPR compliance and integrate those requirements and standards into your existing data protection policies and procedures. With our GDPR compliance services, we’ll conduct a complete assessment of your internal practices and technology framework and make recommendations to better align yourself with current GDPR requirements.

We also assist in the ongoing monitoring of your operations to ensure that you remain compliant with ever-changing standards. We’ll help you with the current data security measures needed to ensure that your EU clients that you’re dedicated to their particular standards.

Benefits of GDPR Compliance

GDPR compliance offers many benefits to an organization. It increases trust among customers by giving them more control over their personal data. The mandated data security measures significantly reduce the risk of data breaches and any potential fines or legal exposure. One of the tenets of GDPR is to collect only the most necessary personal data and guard it with the strictest of protocols.

Compliance with these global standards offers opportunities with new international clients. It also streamlines the processes of data collection, processing, and storage. And it shows a commitment to data protection, which is a huge concern these days.

FAQ

If you’re not in GDPR compliance, your organization may find itself subject to significant financial penalties from data breaches, depending on whether they were intentional or unintentional. Potential legal action may also result. There’s also the risk of serious reputational damage, as well as negative social media and press coverage.

GDPR regulations for data privacy officially went into effect in May of 2018 for organization that handle the personal information of EU residents. Obviously, we’re past that deadline, so it’s crucial for organizations to get into compliance around those requirements ASAP and to then maintain their standing.

There is no single GDPR equivalent for data privacy and security in the US. Instead of an all-encompassing standard, there are many state-level privacy requirements as well as standards around different sectors. In 2022, the American Data Privacy Protection Act was introduced but has yet to be made law.

Achieving a GDPR compliance certificate requires understanding its seven core principles and how they relate to your current standards. A GDPR audit by a third-party assessor like Continuum GRC can explain the particular obligations around your security infrastructure, personnel, and policies, and in obtaining, managing, and documenting consent.

Both of these things are mechanisms for transferring personal data outside of the European Economic Area (EEA), but each has a different scope and mechanism. Binding Corporate Rules are used for data transfers within a single multinational group. Standard Contractual Clauses apply to data transfers between two separate organizations.

What are you waiting for?

You are just a conversation away from putting the power of Continuum GRC to work for you. 

Contact us using the form below or calling us at 1-888-896-6207 for immediate assistance.

Download our company brochure.

About the Standard

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), implemented by the European Union on May 25, 2018, sets strict requirements for organizations handling personal data of EU residents. Below is a concise overview of the key compliance requirements, focusing on the most critical aspects for organizations (data controllers and processors). Note that GDPR applies to any organization processing EU residents' personal data, regardless of the organization's location.

Key GDPR Compliance Requirements

  1. Lawful Basis for Processing (Article 6)
    • Personal data must be processed based on one of six lawful bases:
      • Consent: Explicit, informed, and freely given (e.g., opt-in mechanisms).
      • Contract: Necessary to fulfill a contract with the data subject.
      • Legal obligation: Required to comply with legal requirements.
      • Vital interests: To protect someone's life.
      • Public task: For tasks in the public interest or official authority.
      • Legitimate interests: Justified by the organization’s interests, provided they don’t override data subjects’ rights.
    • Consent must be specific, granular, and easy to withdraw.
  2. Data Subject Rights (Articles 12-23) Organizations must enable individuals to exercise their rights, including:
    • Right to be informed: Provide clear, transparent information about data processing (e.g., via privacy notices).
    • Right of access: Allow individuals to access their personal data and details of its use.
    • Right to rectification: Correct inaccurate or incomplete data.
    • Right to erasure ("right to be forgotten"): Delete data when no longer necessary or upon request, if conditions are met.
    • Right to restrict processing: Limit processing in certain cases (e.g., contested accuracy).
    • Right to data portability: Provide data in a structured, machine-readable format for transfer.
    • Right to object: Allow individuals to object to processing (e.g., for marketing purposes).
    • Rights regarding automated decision-making: Protect against decisions based solely on automated processing (e.g., profiling) without human intervention.
  3. Transparency and Privacy Notices (Articles 13-14)
    • Provide clear, concise privacy policies detailing:
      • Who the data controller is.
      • Purposes and legal basis for processing.
      • Data retention periods.
      • Recipients of the data.
      • Data subject rights and how to exercise them.
    • Notices must be accessible at the point of data collection.
  4. Data Minimization and Purpose Limitation (Article 5)
    • Collect only the data necessary for specific, explicit purposes.
    • Do not use data for purposes incompatible with the original intent without further consent or legal basis.
  5. Data Security (Articles 5, 32)
    • Implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect data, such as:
      • Encryption and pseudonymization.
      • Access controls and authentication.
      • Regular security assessments and audits.
    • Ensure resilience against breaches and maintain confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
  6. Data Breach Notification (Articles 33-34)
    • Notify the relevant supervisory authority within 72 hours of becoming aware of a data breach, unless it’s unlikely to harm individuals.
    • Inform affected data subjects without undue delay if the breach poses a high risk to their rights and freedoms.
  7. Accountability and Governance (Articles 5, 24)
    • Demonstrate compliance through:
      • Data Protection Officer (DPO): Appoint a DPO if processing is large-scale, involves sensitive data, or is done by a public authority (Article 37).
      • Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs): Conduct DPIAs for high-risk processing activities (e.g., large-scale monitoring or sensitive data) (Article 35).
      • Records of Processing Activities: Maintain detailed records of data processing (Article 30).
      • Policies and training: Implement internal policies and train staff on GDPR compliance.
  8. Data Transfers Outside the EU (Articles 44-50)
    • Ensure international data transfers comply with GDPR, using mechanisms like:
      • Adequacy decisions (e.g., EU-approved countries).
      • Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs).
      • Binding Corporate Rules (BCRs) for intra-group transfers.
      • Exceptions (e.g., explicit consent) in limited cases.
    • Post-Schrems II (2020), additional safeguards may be required for transfers to countries like the US.
  9. Consent Management (Articles 7-8)
    • Obtain explicit, affirmative consent for processing (e.g., no pre-ticked boxes).
    • Allow easy withdrawal of consent.
    • For children under 16 (or lower, depending on member state law), obtain parental consent for online services.
  10. Processor Obligations (Article 28)
    • Data processors (e.g., third-party service providers) must:
      • Process data only on the controller’s documented instructions.
      • Sign data processing agreements (DPAs) outlining responsibilities.
      • Implement security measures and assist with compliance (e.g., breach notifications, DPIAs).
  11. Privacy by Design and Default (Article 25)
    • Integrate data protection into systems and processes from the outset (e.g., minimizing data collection in app design).
    • Ensure default settings are privacy-friendly (e.g., minimal data sharing).

Penalties for Non-Compliance (Article 83)

  • Fines up to €20 million or 4% of annual global turnover (whichever is higher) for serious violations (e.g., unlawful processing, ignoring data subject rights).
  • Lower-tier fines up to €10 million or 2% of turnover for less severe breaches (e.g., inadequate records).
  • Supervisory authorities can also impose corrective measures, such as processing bans.

Practical Steps for Compliance

  • Conduct a data audit: Map data flows, identify personal data, and document processing activities.
  • Update policies: Revise privacy notices, consent forms, and internal policies.
  • Train staff: Ensure employees understand GDPR obligations.
  • Appoint a DPO if required: Especially for large-scale or sensitive data processing.
  • Implement security measures: Use encryption, access controls, and regular testing.
  • Prepare for breaches: Establish incident response and notification procedures.
  • Review third-party contracts: Ensure processors comply via DPAs.
  • Monitor compliance: Regularly review processes and conduct DPIAs for high-risk activities.

Additional Notes

  • Supervisory Authorities: Each EU member state has a data protection authority (e.g., CNIL in France, ICO in the UK) to enforce GDPR and provide guidance.
  • Sector-Specific Rules: Some industries (e.g., healthcare, finance) may face additional regulations alongside GDPR.
  • Brexit: The UK follows the UK GDPR, which mirrors the EU GDPR but is enforced separately.

For detailed guidance, organizations can refer to official resources like the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) website or consult with legal experts, as GDPR interpretation can vary by context.

Amazing Benefits