The European Union’s primary privacy law is the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The law specifies how companies handle customers’ data to avoid risks and threats.
Studies by Zendata show that 67% of the 1,000 US business to customers (B2C) websites defy the EU law of privacy. Meanwhile, complying with this law boosts efficiency and aids data protection from cyber threats or risks.
This equates to the fact that non-compliance with this law will cause harm to companies and their customers’ privacy. Even though some companies are aware of this reality and try to adhere, they meet particular challenges. On this account, we shall examine these challenges and how to overcome them.
Post Contents
Top Issues Companies Face When Complying With The EU Privacy Law
The GDPR will not lower the bar of its stipulations. Neither will it give exceptions. As a result, companies must do all that is in their power to understand its provisions and conform to them. Below are some challenges you might encounter when complying with the GDPR.
1. Multiple Requirements
The GDPR has several conditions for companies that collect customers’ data. These requirements include being plain about the kind of data to collect, communicating how to use it and who will have access to it.
The law also imposes companies to permit customers to exercise their rights to data deletion and the right to be forgotten. Paying attention to these aspects of the law can be cumbersome.
2. Journaling and Role Creation
It is not enough for companies to set data protection measures. The law wants companies to keep a record of data protection activities. For example, if your company acquires endpoint security software to monitor data access, the law wants it recorded.
Besides, data breaches should be announced and documented. The document should express the kind of data breach, the effect, and the mode of rectification. Data protection is significant to data privacy. So, companies must employ data protection officers (DPO). Hiring a DPO is also compulsory for companies that track online behavior.
3. Intense Formalities
There is a step-by-step procedure to follow under the GDPR. None of these processes can be paused, skipped, or wholly omitted because of a lack of funds for tools or professionals.
These processes are data protection impact assessment, integrating privacy into the architecture of products/services, certifying organizational data processing by a certification body, etc.
4. Penalties
Non-compliance to privacy laws indeed attracts penalties. Partial compliance also attracts sanctions. At times, businesses that are not financially strong might use online generators or templates to create their privacy statements without thorough research.
These businesses cannot afford the luxury attached to hiring lawyers to perform the task or employ data protection officers. This situation could make them leave out critical information in their privacy policies. Companies in this category will face legal issues, heavy fines, customer loss, etc.
3 Ways to Overcome Compliance Challenges of GDPR
Compliance challenges of GDPR are surmountable. Let’s dive into the solutions to these compliance challenges.
1. Make the law first
The law is above everyone, and companies should know that. Take the time to study the GDPR’s specifications. You will know what to do and how to go about it when you do this.
2. Train Employees
Every employee should know what the GDPR states concerning data privacy and data protection. Data privacy and security should not be left to the IT (Information Technology) team to handle alone.
When marketers gather data after prospects subscribe to newsletters, provide emails on landing pages, or order a product, they should know to handle those data. Whether they are in digital or non-digital forms, they need protection. Even the engineering team is involved in this process.
3. Hire Required Professionals
Nobody knows it all. One person cannot play the role of a dozen people. Thus, they need to hire professionals that can handle the different requirements of the GDPR.
Your company needs an addition of a legal consultant to its team. A lawyer will show you how to stay within the confines of the law as you interact with customers’ data. This legal help will restrict you from disregarding the law.
Likewise, you will need to employ a DPO. The DPO will ascertain that your company uses data gathered in compliance with the EU privacy law.
There is no cutting of corners when it comes to complying with privacy laws, of which GDPR is one. That is, adherence is mandatory. Your company might encounter some difficulties while trying to adhere to this law. The happy part is that there is a way out, as presented.
If you need help with getting the right professionals to help you, we are just an email away at Zendata.
