GDPR is short for General Data Protection Regulation and is a real game-changer for every internet user. Whether you’re an individual internet user or a business organization, this data privacy regulation set by the EU is created to protect you and your information on the web against any data abuse.
Since there are so many online consumers and businesses catering to their purchasing needs, the EU created GDPR to impose penalties on companies that fail to comply with the latest data privacy laws when dealing with EU citizen data. With that in mind, let’s review what GDPR is.
What is GDPR?
GDPR refers to a list of laws and regulations for dealing with consumer data. It is legislation designed to protect each internet user through data protection protocols.
GDPR came into effect in 2018, and since then, this data protection law has helped online consumers and internet users gain a certain level of control over how third parties handle their data.
It offers insights into how their data is gathered and used. Since we live in the internet-connected digital age, companies constantly harvest consumer data to provide more products, services, ads, marketing campaigns, and purchasing recommendations.
Digital business organizations also use the harvested consumer data to create targeted marketing campaigns and provide each consumer with a customer-centric experience. GDPR is something that every internet user should take very seriously.
What are the requirements for GDPR compliance in the Netherlands?
GDPR compliance includes many requirements digital companies will have to implement to make sure they’re compliant. Here’s a quick overview:
- Obtaining consent. Each digital company must have clear terms of consent that can be freely given and withdrawn at any time.
- Timely security breach alert. In case a data breach occurs, companies are required to report it to both data controllers and consumers within 72 hours, or they will face hefty penalties and fines.
- Users must have access to their data. Digital companies must honor the consumers’ right to data access. If consumers request their data profiles, companies must be able to provide them with free, fully detailed electronic copies of the gathered data and inform them on how the information is used.
- Right to data deletion. If consumers request that a company totally delete their personal data, that business organization must comply.
- Data portability. Ensures that internet users have rights to their own data. If they want to obtain their data from a particular company, that business must allow them to do so.
- Companies are required to have the latest security protocols for data collection.
- Depending on the size of the company, larger enterprises are required to appoint a data protection officer.
Failure to comply with these GDPR requirements may result in paying huge fines and earning penalty points that can further limit your business operations in a wide range of ways.
Popular privacy protections
While GDPR achieves a lot, it is difficult to keep up with the ever-changing digital space. New techniques get adopted, and their use enters an area unsupervised by any legislation. Thus, consumers worldwide choose to protect their data themselves.
Firewall
As cybercriminals and hackers become more tech-savvy and sophisticated, modern users need all cybersecurity solutions they can get their hands on to strengthen their defenses. A firewall is still one of the best security tools.
Firewalls have a vital task to block unauthorized access to corporate or residential systems by constantly monitor network traffic and identifying potential risks.
Antivirus programs
Aside from a firewall, consumers also use antivirus software to ensure their devices are safe and protected. These programs send alerts to the user in case there’s a malware or virus infection in their device.
In addition, these programs also include additional services, such as scanning emails for any malicious web links, malware/ransomware attachments, etc. Antivirus can be effective protection against spyware that could secretly steal your data or monitoring online activities.
Virtual Private Networks
VPN is an excellent tool for adding a layer of protection to your networks and devices. It can ensure additional security and privacy by masking your IP address and applying encryption protocols to hide your online activities. Additionally, a reliable VPN can defend you against hackers attempting to intercept your connection and steal data.
Conclusion
GDPR isn’t just another way for governments to charge businesses, but a data protection and security initiative is meant to protect your business operations, consumers, clients, partners, vendors, and all others who have contact with your organization.
Instead of resisting it, companies should embrace it to prevent data abuse and cybercrime that threatens to plague the digital business realm.