Is Your Company GDPR Compliant In 2024? A Checklist.

In early 2024, we find ourselves just over 5 years from when the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) took effect on May 25, 2018. As a business leader, it’s crucial to assess whether your company remains fully compliant with this far-reaching privacy law.

Why GDPR Compliance Still Matters in 2024

The GDPR established strict rules around collecting, processing, and securing the personal data of EU residents. It also codified the privacy rights of individuals. As we move further from 2018, some companies may be tempted to relax their compliance efforts. That would be a mistake. Here are 3 key reasons GDPR compliance should remain a top priority:

• Large fines for noncompliance. Regulators can levy fines of up to 4% of a company’s global annual revenue for GDPR violations. These substantial penalties provide ongoing motivation for businesses to comply.

• Individual complaints. People can file complaints if they believe an organization is mishandling their data. A steady stream of grievances can result in investigations and fines.

• Reputational damage. News of GDPR noncompliance often generates negative publicity and loss of customer trust. Companies don’t want to risk harming their brand and relationships.

In short, slacking on GDPR compliance exposes organizations to legal, financial, and reputational risks. Companies must continue taking it seriously through 2024 and beyond.

Conducting a GDPR Compliance Checklist for 2024

Carrying out a compliance checklist is the best way to identify any areas that need improvement. Here are 10 key items to assess in 2024:

1. Data Protection Officer (DPO)

• Do we have a designated DPO managing our privacy program?
• Is the DPO sufficiently independent and empowered?
• Does the DPO have the resources and support needed to fulfill duties?

2. Policies and Procedures

• Have we updated documentation like privacy policies and notices to reflect current practices?
• Do we have protocols for consistently handling data subject rights requests?
• Are our data retention schedules current? Do we securely delete data when no longer needed?

3. Legal Basis for Processing

• Do we have appropriate legal bases (consent, contract, legal obligation, etc.) for all our data processing activities?
• Can we demonstrate that consents meet GDPR’s high standard for being freely given, specific, and informed?

4. Data Minimization

• Are we collecting only the personal data we absolutely need?
• Have we purged unneeded data from systems?

5. Data Subject Rights

• Can we fully meet demands from individuals to access, correct, delete, or port their data in a timely manner?
• Do we have systems to record and monitor requests?

6. Data Transfers

• Are vendor contracts updated to reflect data handling requirements?
• For transfers outside the EU, do we have approved mechanisms like Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) in place?

7. Security Measures

• Are our technical controls like encryption, backups, and access restrictions up-to-date?
• Do we regularly test and monitor systems for vulnerabilities?
• Is access to data limited to only those employees who need it?

8. Breach Notification

• Do we have an incident response plan that details how to investigate, contain, and notify regulators of breaches within 72 hours?

9. Privacy by Design

• Do we perform privacy impact assessments for new initiatives and technologies?
• Do we adopt a “data protection first” approach when designing systems, products, and services?

10. Training

• Are all employees and contractors trained on our privacy policies, their individual responsibilities, and breach reporting procedures?
• Do we refresh trainings periodically?

Performing this full evaluation will reveal where your GDPR compliance program stands heading into 2024. Any gaps can be addressed before problematic issues arise. With constant vigilance, your company can remain prepared and in conformity. That brings peace of mind along with lower risk.

Conclusion

Almost a half-decade after the GDPR’s rollout, its strict privacy provisions remain highly relevant. Slacking on compliance now would be a critical mistake exposing organizations to substantial penalties and reputational damage. Wise companies will continue their privacy efforts through periodic checklists and reviews. By taking proactive measures, businesses can keep customers’ trust and avoid regulatory headaches. Vigilant GDPR compliance pays dividends.