The Busy CTOs Checklist Guide to Automating GDPR Compliance

Look at this:

As shown, fines issued by the General Data Privacy Regulation (GDPR) are escalating. Notably, it leaped tenfold from €295.9 million in 2021 to over €2.77 billion as of February 2023.?

At this rate, CTOs and IT executives must stay GDPR-compliant (even after initial compliance) to avoid getting fined. But achieving this requires automating the gruesome pre- and post-GDPR compliance processes.?

You’ll see how to accomplish both in the ongoing GDPR compliance checklist explored below. Before we get there…

What is GDPR Compliance Checklist?

A GDPR compliance checklist is a tool that outlines the practices, processes, and controls to help organizations that handle data meet the requirements of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). It typically outlines essential steps such as obtaining explicit consent, updating privacy policies, ensuring data portability, implementing robust data security measures, and appointing a Data Protection Officer (DPO) if necessary. The checklist helps organizations identify compliance gaps, protect personal data, avoid hefty fines, and maintain trust with customers by adhering to GDPR's legal framework.

Start by Knowing the 7 GDPR Principles

Article 5.1-2 of the GDPR privacy law outlines seven protection and accountability principles organizations must adhere to when processing personal data.?

As captured below:

Continuous adherence to all principles outlined above is how you become (and stay) GDPR-compliant. Unfortunately, it’s easier said because implementing their requirements leaves a lot to interpretation.?

CSO’s Micheal Nadeau corroborates:?

To emphasize, fines for non-compliance could be as high as €20 million or 4% of your company’s global revenue. So to close every leeway that could lead to one, comprehensive and continuous implementation of GDPR principles is crucial.?

Our 10-step checklist guide details how to do that. Read more.