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General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

GDPR is a comprehensive data protection and privacy regulation that became enforceable on 25 May 2018, and is applicable to organisations that process the personal data of individuals in the European Union (EU).

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Understanding GDPR

The GDPR is a fundamental change in data handling and processing, imposing strict data protection and privacy standards not just within the EU region but also globally. It is important for businesses within Australia, especially those providing services or handling and processing data of EU and UK citizens, to understand GDPR and be compliant with requirements. 

GDPR emphasises the importance of obtaining clear and explicit consent from individuals for the processing of their personal data. It grants individuals several rights, including the right to access, rectify, erase, and restrict the processing of their data. Organisations are required to report data breaches to the relevant supervisory authority and, in certain cases, to the affected individuals.

Organisations are encouraged to implement privacy measures and data protection principles from the outset when designing systems and services. GDPR imposes severe penalties for non-compliance, including fines of up to 4 per cent of an organisation's global annual revenue or €20 million (whichever is greater).

Why adopting GDPR Compliance is Important for your Business.

In today's digital world, data privacy and data security are two inevitable strategic aspects of business. Compliance with GDPR is not just a legal requirement but it is also a strategic tool to create competitive advantage. 

Contact our team today to learn more about the benefits of compliance and potential risks of non-compliance, including hefty fines and reputational damage.
GDPR

Key Components of GDPR Compliance

Achieving GDPR compliance involves a range of measures and practices to ensure that organisations handle personal data in a way that respects individuals' privacy rights. 
 

Data Mapping and Inventory

Understand and document what personal data your organisation collects, processes, and stores.
Identify the lawful basis for processing each type of data.

Privacy by Design and Default

Integrate data protection into the design and development of systems and processes. Ensure that privacy settings are set to the most privacy-friendly options by default.

Regular Audits and Monitoring

Conduct regular audits to assess and improve GDPR compliance.
Monitor and update policies and procedures based on changes in data processing activities.

Consent Management

Obtain clear and unambiguous consent from individuals before processing their personal data.
Allow individuals to withdraw their consent easily.

Data Security Measures

Implement technical and organisational measures to ensure the security of personal data.
Regularly assess and update security measures to address emerging threats.

Training and Awareness

Train employees on data protection principles and GDPR compliance.
Foster a culture of privacy and ensure awareness of GDPR requirements.

Individual Rights

Implement processes to facilitate individuals exercising their rights to access, rectify, erase, and restrict processing of their data.
Provide a mechanism for individuals to request their data in a portable format.

Data Breach Response

Develop and test a data breach response plan. Report data breaches to the relevant supervisory authority and affected individuals, where necessary.

International Data Transfers

Ensure that international transfers of personal data comply with GDPR requirements, such as using standard contractual clauses or other approved mechanisms.

Discover how SAMEC can help you achieve your compliance goals.
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