The GDPR defines the European regulation for the protection of personal data. Ordinary citizens think that it is of no interest and even wants to be restrictive for companies. However, analyzes reveal that it has many advantages.
GDPR: what is it?
May 24, 2018 marks the entry into force of the GDPR or General Data Protection Regulation. We have set up the National Commission for Computing and Liberties (CNIL) to ensure that it is respected. The CNIL can be considered as the regulator of personal data. It supports professionals in their compliance process. It also works with individuals, allowing them to better control their personal data and exercise their rights.
The GDPR refers to all the provisions that govern the processing and circulation of personal data on the territory of the European Union. It applies to any organization processing personal data on its own behalf or not, whether it is based on the territory of the European Union. It also concerns an establishment whose activity directly targets European residents.
Contrary to what one might think, the GDPR has a lot of impact on companies. It implies a certain number of obligations which are sometimes difficult to put in place. To facilitate this process, it is therefore preferable to call on a lawyer who is an expert in GDPR, he will accompany you in bringing your company into compliance. He can advise you throughout the process. It will also inform you of your rights and obligations.
Are you a large company? GDPR implementation may require you to appoint a Data Protection Officer (DPO). Its main mission is to guarantee the proper management of personal data. Again, you will need the skills and advice of an expert GDPR lawyer. You can even appoint a lawyer as an independent DPO.
The implementation of the GDPR also involves training sessions on data protection. They mainly concern employees. This regulation must indeed evolve according to the needs of your company. That's why each of your employees needs to know the ins and outs. Small precision: the recovery, analysis and exploitation of data require additional training sessions. The latter mainly concern the employees assigned to these tasks.
According to the regulations in force, if you employ more than 250 employees, you must keep a data processing register. The purpose of this process is to establish the origin of the data. But not only. This also lets you know whether the data subject has given their consent. Note that this is a register that the CNIL has every right to consult at any time. Another important point: the GDPR obliges companies to obtain explicit consent from their customers. In other words, they must present evidence on the agreements in question.
The GDPR, a European pride
Many analysts agree: the GDPR is a real European pride. In the United States, for example, there is no data protection legislation. This is what explains in particular these numerous scandals involving the major players in the web and social networks. Europeans can therefore be proud of having a strict framework governing this data protection.
GDPR protects citizens
From a commercial point of view, it can be said that each citizen currently represents a consumer. More explicitly, it constitutes a target for a commercial enterprise. Thanks to the GDPR, any organization wishing to use your personal data must obtain your consent. More importantly, it must explain to you concretely what the data collected will be used for.
The GDPR is indeed a regulation on which you can rely to enforce your rights. In particular, you can refer to this regulation to obtain redress, especially if you believe that your data is being used improperly. To do this, you must bring an action with the CNIL.
GDPR holds opportunities for businesses
The GDPR does more than just protect individual freedom and privacy. It also offers companies the opportunity to develop in the most favorable framework. Thanks to the application of the GDPR, your customers and prospects will feel more confident. The GDPR allows these people to control their data. They can control access rights to their data, modify it, delete it, etc.
When your company therefore agrees to comply with the GDPR, the relationship of trust is strengthened. And for good reason, these people feel that you respect their rights and their privacy. Seen from this angle, we can also consider compliance with the GDPR as a guarantee of seriousness.
The GDPR also allows you to optimize your marketing strategy. Companies know it well: it is important to have files that contain information on customers and prospects. Without these files, you cannot sell or advertise your products and services.
If you didn't pay much attention to your files before, the GDPR currently requires you to update them. This regulation also forces you to ask yourself questions about the usefulness of your files. In some circumstances, you will even be required to do a careful sorting. Thanks to the GDPR, you have more precise, cleaned and more personalized files. Such a database will allow you to make more targeted and doubly effective marketing campaigns.
The GDPR also obliges companies to implement all the necessary measures to ensure the protection of personal data. This concerns both technical and organizational means. These commitments require you, among other things, to improve the security of your company's data. This means better security for your servers and a more thoughtful choice of your data centers.
