Understanding and implementing the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is crucial for businesses operating within or dealing with the European Union. It sets stringent rules for data protection and privacy.
Twilio’s associate general counsel, Sheila Jambekar, presents a strategic approach to becoming GDPR-compliant, emphasising five vital steps crucial for safeguarding personal data within business operations.
Determining what personal data your company processes is fundamental. This includes names, email addresses, IP addresses, and device identifiers. By classifying this data, businesses can better manage and protect it, ensuring compliance with GDPR’s requirements of transparency and accountability.
Access control is pivotal in GDPR compliance. Only individuals and systems that must access the data should see it. For example, in Twilio, the billing system needs data only for billing purposes and not the actual message content.
By restricting access, companies minimise the risk of data breaches, keeping sensitive information secure and aligned with GDPR guidelines.
GDPR mandates that data be collected for specific purposes, such as billing or routing. This means that streamlining data processing systems is essential.
All data must serve its initial purpose. This guarantees it provides utility rather than becoming a liability.
Auditing systems ensure that data processing activities are justifiable and lawful under GDPR, protecting both the business and its users.
Data security is a cornerstone of GDPR compliance. Whether data is in transit or at rest, it must remain secure. Encryption is one effective method to protect data from unauthorised access.
Within the same system, secure data practices are critical. This includes protecting data as it moves between internal systems or when it is stored on a disk.
Data should be deleted when its primary use expires, except where laws like taxation require retention.
Companies need to track data throughout its lifecycle, ensuring complete deletion when necessary.
This involves locating all data storage points, such as databases or logs, to ensure comprehensive compliance with GDPR.
Regular audits and meticulous logging of data access are essential. By tracking how data is accessed, altered, or queried, organisations can swiftly identify and respond to potential security threats.
At Twilio, these practices are in place to monitor personal data movements and maintain robust security measures.
GDPR extends beyond data handling practices. It demands a broader framework of accountability, placing transparency and fairness as key obligations for all businesses.
Companies across various industries must recognise GDPR’s scope, ensuring compliance to avoid hefty fines and maintain trust with their clients.
Adhering to GDPR is not merely a legal obligation but a strategic move towards building trust and securing data. By following these steps, businesses not only comply with the law but also enhance their data protection framework, benefiting all stakeholders.
