Since the introduction of the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation), it’s become more important than ever for organisations to safeguard their data.
Data breaches pose a more serious threat than ever. Not only do you have an obligation to protect your customers’ information, but you may also be susceptible to regulatory action and a loss of reputation if you do not respond properly to a security incident. Public concern about data security is higher than ever, and this has led to a significant increase in the penalties your organisation may suffer if you handle security issues improperly.
Whether your organisation has taken huge strides toward GDPR compliance or you are still getting started, your data security obligations need ongoing attention. Every tool that can help you streamline your compliance processes will help protect your organisation and meet its security responsibilities.
The five tools identified here by Trident Assurance Services are all powerful assistants in GDPR compliance and information security.
1) GDPR Data Breach Support Service
The GDPR gives you just 72 hours to report and respond to a data breach. This deadline can challenge even the most agile organisations. Breaches grow ever more likely, and that means your business needs to be prepared for a quick response.
The GDPR Breach Support Service is there to simplify the job for you. It gives you access to an expert professional team to help you plan and execute a compliant and effective response to any serious security problem. The team includes DPOs (data protection officers), lawyers, barristers, and cyber-security experts. The Breach Support Service relies on the expertise of the professionals working at GRCI Law, our sister company.
2) Data Flow Mapping Tool
This tool is a cloud-based platform for visualising how your organisation handles personal data. It’s tremendously useful for spotting unnecessary risks and streamlining your data-handling processes.
The data flow mapping tool allows you to generate a useful visual map of your organisation’s data flow without resorting to more time-consuming or error-prone mapping processes.
3) E-Learning Courses on Information Security / Cyber-Security Staff Awareness
E-learning courses are one of the fastest and most affordable ways to provide your staff members with important information. The courses’ structure and interactivity improve their impact considerably. Courses that deal mainly or exclusively with information security and cyber-security equip your staff with the tools they need to reduce cyber-security risks and deal with threats and breaches properly.
Look particularly for non-technical courses designed with general employees in mind. You need to share the sort of guidance that is useful for everyone, not just the IT professionals.
4) Penetration Testing
Penetration testing essentially boils down to engaging a tester to attempt to hack an organisation’s information infrastructure in the same way that a malicious hacker would. Penetration testing is the best – and in many situations, the only – way to test the information security of a network or application after significant changes or upgrades are made.
5) DPO as a Service
In some situations, your organisation may be required by the GDPR to have a DPO, or data protection officer. Even if your organisation falls outside the regulatory requirement for one, a DPO can still do a great deal to simplify your compliance procedures and spare you from data security headaches. Typical DPO responsibilities include:
- Establishing and maintaining a register for processing personal data.
- Guiding the organisation’s policies on monitoring, reporting, and managing data breaches
- Revising information security policies and documentation
- Serving as the organisation’s primary point of contact for authorities during data breaches
- Recommending DPIAs (data protection impact assessments) when necessary
Finding and employing a qualified DPO full-time can be prohibitively expensive for smaller organisations. Fortunately, professional DPO services are amongst those which you can outsource.
A remote DPO can still take formidable steps to understand and improve your organisation’s information security issues. They can provide expert guidance when you need it and complete all the tasks required to keep your organisation GDPR-compliant.