GDPR:

With just over two months until its implementation, there is no escaping the discourse around GDPR.

The subject is undeniably deserved of attention – following high-profile breaches such as TalkTalk’s loss of customer data to hackers in 2015, these regulations are attempting to match the pace of technology and provide greater protection for data subjects across the EU. However, the positive points of GDPR’s introduction are increasingly being lost amid the unfathomably vast swathes of clickbait-titled emails, countdown clocks and colourful but conflicting infographics that are peddling a culture of fear and negativity around the subject. Many are now questioning if the GDPR horror stories underlining the admittedly huge fines for non-compliance are being generated by those with something to gain, and are calling for helpful discourse rather than scare-mongering.

In an increasingly digital world where the majority of our valuable information is online, we need to find ways to protect it and hold those who do not provide adequate security accountable. The fact is, GDPR will bring a host of positive developments to data-handling and will steer businesses round the world to become more data-driven. Today, nearly every human transaction generates incredible amounts of insightful and valuable data which can be utilised to make our businesses better – but we must understand and recognise our responsibility to privacy.

At Mauve, we are choosing to see this as a positive step that will bolster our already data- and security-focused processes; in this post we’ve detailed four reminders why GDPR should be a friend to your organisation, not a foe.

GDPR is standardising data protection across Europe:

The new laws are being implemented with a goal to bring cohesion to data protection across the European area – and data law-making around the world is also following suit. For global HR managers or companies managing hubs in different global locations, finding a way to adhere to laws that differ from location to location can be nigh on impossible. Standardisation across borders will simplify data-processing, despite requiring an initial time investment in the early stages.

GDPR is helping to underline the need for due diligence and compliance:

At Mauve, this is something we have long-championed – our partners are rigorously vetted and due-diligence checked via Dun and Bradstreet, and we utilise the latest, purpose-built software and CRM systems to secure our data. As an organisation, we steer away from the “middle-man” approach of our direct competitors and the added risk connected to extra levels of data-sharing, instead adopting a strategy of opening our own entities where possible and managing our solutions in-house. Over the twenty years since our conception, we have witnessed a focus shift in our industry from maximising margins to absolute compliance, and GDPR is helping to enforce this to ensure costly and dangerous mistakes are not made; we see it as a logical step.

GDPR is a valuable opportunity to audit and streamline data and processes:

Not every business will have to extensively change their systems and processes; some may well be following the majority of GDPR rules with the way they currently store and utilise data. However, every business will need to review these processes and make tweaks to ensure they are following the concept of ‘Privacy by Design’ from the very foundations upwards.

In the modern world, all companies need to be on top of their data. Untidy and obsolete data is one of the biggest barriers to success, requiring complex, expensive clouds and platforms for storage while providing little in the way of value – organisations should relish the opportunity to sort the wheat from the chaff. Efficient data is a catalyst for all the things that drive a better business: better communication, better reporting, better analysis and better strategy. GDPR brings us all the ability to focus our attention on improving our infrastructure behind-the-scenes.

GDPR will promote greater transparency and in turn, greater confidence:

In the HR and global workforce solutions industry, workers and clients alike need to know that their valuable personal information is protected and maintained by trustworthy systems. This is evidenced by the lengthy tender processes and due-diligence checks required to secure business as a workforce solutions provider. Put simply, everyone will know where they stand with GDPR after May 25th 2018. The gold standard of data protection is now becoming the only standard of data protection in Europe, and potentially globally in the future.