Understanding and Implementing Data Protection Basics – Get Informed with heyData

At its core, data protection aims to safeguard individuals in terms of handling their personal data. The essence of this protective mechanism is to secure data directly or indirectly associated with an individual.

This focus primarily centers on the protection of personal data, including general contact details related to an identified or identifiable person, such as your name, telephone number, address, email address, and more. Data allowing inferences about you is also subject to data protection. Our primary goal with data protection is to safeguard your freedom and control over your own data. You have the right to determine and control the processing of your data.

In summary, data protection and data protection basics aim to prevent the misuse of data processing and protect your privacy.

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The protection of personal data is legally regulated, including by the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Federal Data Protection Act (BDSG). The GDPR is a European Union regulation and does not need to be implemented into national law but includes opening clauses. These national provisions are supplemented and specified by the BDSG. There is always a connection to the General Data Protection Regulation.

Read more: Data Processing Agreements (DPAs) – heyData creates transparency

Data protection laws regulate all relevant provisions concerning the processing of personal data within companies. Every company operating in the EU is obligated to comply with data protection regulations. Failure to protect data of customers, employees, or business partners can lead to fines or sanctions. Furthermore, neglecting data protection basics can result in damage to a company's reputation.

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Due to budget or time constraints, some companies may neglect GDPR compliance. To avoid such issues, heyData provides you with a concise checklist for data protection basics within companies:

1. Data Protection Officer: Within a company, data protection can be represented internally or externally. heyData can assist you in implementing data protection securely and efficiently.
2. Processing Activities: Ensure that you maintain a record of processing activities. This should define responsibilities, the nature of data processing, and deletion deadlines.
3. Privacy Policy: Every affected person must be informed about the privacy statement. Website operators must provide the statement on their site.
4. Data Privacy Confidentiality: Individuals handling personal data must be committed in writing to confidentiality regarding company-related data.
5. Data Processing Agreements (DPAs): heyData is your right partner for questions regarding data processing agreements. Learn about rights and obligations in processing personal data.
6. Data Privacy Measures: Technical and organizational measures must be implemented. Develop a corporate concept ensuring compliance with data protection basics. Secure access codes, user accounts, and general operational workflows.
7. Employee Awareness: Data protection must be embraced by all employees. Compliance with data protection basics cannot be achieved without the commitment of your employees. It's essential to sensitize affected individuals regularly. Leverage the expertise of your internal or external data protection officer for training.

Read More: Records of Processing Activities(ROPA): The key role for data protection and transparency in the modern working world. 

Without data protection, we cannot guarantee a reputable online presence. Neglecting data protection can result in reputational damage, decreased revenue, and fines/sanctions.

Considering this rapid evolution, staying up-to-date is crucial. heyData is here to support you.

Cookies are used as marketing tools on websites. They partially serve to optimize the online experience and create user profiles. This can offer advantages, such as personalized advertising or purchase recommendations. However, it involves storing personal data in the form of IP addresses. Consent for the use of cookies is mandatory according to the General Data Protection Regulation. Explicit consent for the use of cookies is essential on websites or in online shops.

Data security goes hand in hand with data protection. It encompasses not only the protection of personal data but also practical measures in IT security. To comply with data protection basics, you should always have a data security concept that covers all data streams to be processed, not just personal data.

Data security can be enhanced and ensured through the following measures:

1. Up-to-date web browsers
2. Current software (updates)
3. Current firewall and antivirus software
4. User accounts with permission distribution
5. Secure passwords
6. Employee awareness
7. Caution with unknown attachments
8. Permission assignment for downloads
9. Avoidance of the publication of personal data
10. Encryption software
11. Backups

Data protection fundamentals can be summarized in a few points, but their implementation poses a real challenge. heyData is your professional and reliable partner in this area. We will discuss and explain these key points with you:

• Legality
• Transparency
• Good faith
• Purpose limitation
• Data minimization
• Storage limitation
• Integrity
• Confidentiality
• Security

These points form the core of the General Data Protection Regulation and should be observed. Many companies are unaware of the significance, but some of these terms have been redefined by the General Data Protection Regulation. Violations of these principles can result in fines of up to €20,000,000 or 4% of the previous year's turnover.

heyData is your partner, and with us, data protection becomes a lived philosophy!