Business

Unlocking GDPR Certification: A Competitive Advantage for Your Business

November 13, 2023
raj

The digital age has made protecting personal data more important than ever before. For many, achieving GDPR certification is the holy grail. It serves as evidence that you adhere to the GDPR and other data protection laws. This holds particularly true for data processors who are tasked with handling personal data on behalf of data controllers, as obtaining GDPR certification serves as a crucial validation of their compliance with the regulation. Processors, specifically, seek to demonstrate to their clients their strong commitment to data protection and their adherence to legal obligations

The initial step is to identify the specific certification you are aiming to attain. To be GDPR certified indicates that you comply with the GDPR specifically. Obtaining a GDPR certification is a way for individuals to showcase their proficiency and expertise in GDPR.  This article contains information on attaining GDPR Certification and its competitive advantage for your business.

What is GDPR Certification?

At its core, General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a comprehensive European Union law that became enforceable on May 25, 2018. It stands as one of the most rigorous regulations globally, imposing obligations on any organization engaged in gathering data from individuals within the European Union (EU).

GDPR certification is a recent addition to the regulation, enabling individuals or organizations to get certified by approved accreditation bodies. This certification serves as proof to both the EU and customers that they comply with GDPR. It’s crucial to understand that certification is granted to businesses and services, not to individual data protection officers. Since its introduction in 2018, the GDPR has brought about substantial changes in how companies manage and process personal data.

What are the requirements for GDPR compliance?

Achieving GDPR compliance enhances an organization’s data protection measures, providing enhanced privacy and information security for employees, stakeholders, and EU customers. In order to meet GDPR compliance, organizations must adhere to various requirements, which include:

  1. Data protection officer (DPO): The Data Protection Officer (DPO) is responsible for overseeing the organization’s data protection policies and procedures, providing guidance to management on the need for Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs), and acting as the liaison between the organization and its supervisory authority.

  1. Consent: Securing legitimate consent from individuals is crucial. In compliance with GDPR requirements, consent must be voluntary, explicit, well-informed, and easily revocable, with individuals retaining the right to withdraw their consent.

 

  1. Data collection and processing: Collecting and processing personal data should be confined to the minimum required and for a clearly defined purpose. They must also document that purpose and ensure that information is deleted when it’s no longer needed.

  1. Privacy policy: Organizations should provide individuals with a readily accessible, straightforward, and succinct privacy policy. Only individuals with authorization are permitted to access, disclose, or erase the stored personal data, and this authorization is granted solely for tasks that have been identified and approved by the data protection officer.

  1. Data subject rights: The GDPR grants individuals a number of rights, which includes the right to access, rectify, erase, restrict processing, data portability and object to processing. There are strict regulations governing the processing of data, and individuals have the right to contest and seek a reassessment of the processing if they suspect that the regulations are not being adhered to.

  1. Personal data breaches: Data breaches aren’t always a result of cyber criminals hacking into an organization’s systems. Incidents may arise when employees mistakenly send sensitive emails, or share information with external parties.Organizations must be equipped to promptly identify and investigate data breaches within 72 hours of discovery.

  1. Data transfer: In the event of transferring personal data outside the European Union, it is imperative for organizations to take measures to guarantee that the recipient country affords an appropriate level of protection for the handling and security of such personal data, in accordance with the stipulations set forth by data protection regulations.

  1. Accountability and record-keeping: The GDPR mandates that an organization not only acknowledges its obligation to adhere to its stipulations, but also demonstrates the implementation of compliance measures. It should maintain detailed records of all data processing activities and be able to demonstrate their compliance with GDPR.

What are the competitive advantages of becoming GDPR certified?

GDPR has significantly amplified the importance of the correlation between data protection and consumer confidence. Acquiring GDPR certification offers various advantages.

  • Increased trust from customers and partners: Possessing a GDPR certification demonstrates your organization’s commitment to prioritizing data protection and privacy. This can result in heightened trust from both customers and partners, potentially opening up additional business prospects.

  • Decreased risk of data breaches: Implementing GDPR compliance measures, which include robust data protection policies, thorough employee training, and the establishment of clear consent mechanisms, can significantly mitigate the potential risks of data breaches for your organization, ultimately resulting in substantial time and cost savings over the long term.

  • Global Market Access: Achieving GDPR compliance can ease market entry into Europe and foster global business connections, as numerous countries and regions mandate comparable data protection standards.This not only builds trust with customers but also positions a company as a reliable partner for international collaborations.

  • Competitive Differentiation: Having GDPR compliance as a unique selling point in a competitive market can lead to increased customer loyalty and brand value. Customers are becoming increasingly discerning about the handling of their personal information, and choosing a company that prioritizes data privacy can be a deciding factor for many. This can result in higher customer retention rates and a positive impact on the company’s bottom line.

  • Data-driven Innovation: By implementing robust data protection measures, companies are able to operate with the assurance that they can effectively utilize data for purposes of innovation and analytics, all while upholding the highest standards of privacy and ensuring that sensitive information remains safeguarded from unauthorized access or misuse.

Conclusion

To sum up, GDPR Certification serves as a valuable means for businesses to showcase their dedication to both data protection and GDPR compliance. To ensure GDPR compliance, businesses are advised to collaborate with seasoned GDPR consultants who can evaluate their data processing operations, pinpoint areas of non-compliance, and create a tailored roadmap for certification. Investing in GDPR certification not only enhances data protection but also offers a competitive advantage, strengthens business relationships, and bolsters the company’s reputation in the industry.