How an EOR Can Keep you GDPR Compliant in 2024

In 2024, GDPR continues to play a vital role in protecting personal data worldwide. As a data privacy framework, it focuses on safeguarding personal information and enforces strict rules for data management. For successful implementation, it requires cooperation and trust between Employer of Record services and their clients and a deep understanding of the guidelines for implementation. Read on to understand the importance of GDPR in 2024, how to successfully implement GDPR frameworks within your business and the benefit of using Employer of Record solutions (EORs) to streamline your compliance journey.

The Importance of GDPR Compliance in 2024

In today’s global business world, The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is crucial for protecting data and privacy. As data breaches continue to increase and privacy breaches making headlines, GDPR compliance offers a strong framework to prevent these problems. It mandates that businesses take a proactive approach to protecting data, promoting a culture of responsible and thorough data management.

Regulations and compliance standards regularly change as the digital arena becomes more intricate and as data grows in value. So staying ahead means meeting legal obligations while demonstrating dedication to data security and privacy. Put simply, it’s not just good practice; it’s an imperative.

Employer of Record Solutions Can Help you Navigate GDPR

An Employer of Record (EOR) is a third-party service that helps businesses to navigate GDPR compliance and grow their global teams cost effectively, at the same time. 

Employer of Record services, like Playroll, can help lower the risk of non-compliance by providing expert guidance on GDPR regulations. They help businesses hire employees in line with local laws, and streamline the complexities that come with international employment, without needing to establish legal entities. Backed by expert legal counsel, EORl acts as an official employer for global teams, helping to manage critical tasks like:

• Employment status of your employees and liability,
• Legal contracts through legal partners,
• HR administration and documentation,
• Global payroll for your team,
• Salaries and benefits for your employees

With expert knowledge, dedicated teams, and efficient data management, Employer of Records can help your business reduce risks, stay compliant and focus on what matters most: core operations.

Understanding GDPR Compliance Requirements

To prepare for GDPR compliance, businesses need to understand the important guidelines set by the General Data Protection Regulation. This involves understanding key principles like fairness and transparency, purpose and storage limits, accuracy, privacy, and accountability. It also means understanding regulations for data breach communication, data subject rights, and the need for a Data Protection Officer (DPO). Key GDPR compliance requirements include:

1. Maintaining lawfulness, fairness, and transparency: Businesses must process personal data lawfully, fairly, and transparently. To achieve this, they must get permission to process data, provide clear privacy disclosures, and make sure people know how their data will be used.
2. Limiting use:  Businesses must limit how they use data. Personal data should only ever be collected for valid reasons, and never used for unrelated purposes.
3. Minimizing data collection: Collect only the data necessary for the stated purpose and retain it for the minimum amount of time required.
4. Ensuring accuracy: Data should always be accurate and kept up to date and businesses should take special care to correct or erase data that is inaccurate.
5. Security: Implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect personal data from breaches and unauthorized access. This includes implementing state-of-the-art cybersecurity measures tailored to the specific risks faced by the data processed.
6. Accountability and governance: Demonstrate compliance by keeping records of documents, conducting data protection impact assessments (DPIAs) and appointing a Data Protection Officer (DPO).
7. Managing  data subject rights: Individuals have various rights, including the right to access their data, request deletion, and object to processing. Organizations must facilitate the exercise of these rights.
8. Protecting international data transfers: When sharing data outside the European Economic Area (EEA), businesses must make sure it’s well-protected. This can be done using Binding Corporate Rules or Standard Contractual Clauses.
   

Challenges in GDPR Risk Management and Compliance

Although the GDPR principles are clear, businesses still battle to achieve and maintain GDPR compliance. Let’s explore the biggest challenges businesses may face on their compliance journey.

• Complex data ecosystems: In the era of big data and complex systems, it can be tough to manage how sensitive data flows through an organization.
• Regular framework changes: GDPR is a dynamic regulatory framework that changes over time and businesses need to stay on top of these changes to maintain compliance requirements.  
• Data security: Maintaining strong data protection measures against evolving cyber threats is an ongoing fight.
• Vendor and partner compliance: Managing GDPR compliance across a network of vendors and partners introduces additional complexities.
• Data subject requests: Managing and responding to data subject requests within the mandated timelines can be resource-intensive.

Understanding GDPR principles and regulations is not enough – businesses must take proactive measures to address risks. By implementing strong security measures and setting up processes for navigating data breaches, businesses can address risks before an audit gets underway.

How an EOR protects data

EORs take comprehensive data protection measures to uphold GDPR compliance. These measures include:

1. Secure Data Storage: EORs maintain secure data storage systems with robust encryption and access controls to safeguard personal data from unauthorized access or breaches.
2. Regular Audits and Assessments: EORs conduct regular audits and assessments to ensure that their data protection practices align with GDPR requirements. They identify and rectify any vulnerabilities promptly.
3. Data Subject Rights Management: EORs facilitate the management of data subject rights, helping employees exercise their rights under GDPR, such as accessing their data or requesting its deletion.
4. Data Breach Response: In the unfortunate event of a data breach, EORs have protocols in place to respond swiftly and appropriately, ensuring compliance with GDPR’s reporting and notification requirements.
5. Employee Training: EORs provide training and awareness programs to their clients and their international workforce, fostering a culture of data protection and compliance.

How to Successfully Implement GDPR Compliance

Adhering to GDPR regulations can be challenging, but teaming up with an Employer of Record (EOR) can make it easier. Here are some guidelines for successfully implementing GDPR compliance measures within your business.

Assessment and data mapping: Start with a comprehensive assessment of data processing. Identify collected personal data, its storage, processing, and purposes, including internal and external data flows.

Legal consultation: Seek legal advice or team up with GDPR experts to understand your businesses unique requirements.

Privacy by design: Implement a “privacy by design” approach. Integrate data protection principles into your business processes and systems from the outset. This proactive approach reduces the risk of non-compliance and data breaches.

Employee training: Train your staff on GDPR compliance and data protection principles. Awareness among employees is important because they often act as the first line of defense in data handling.

Data subject rights: Set up processes to manage requests from data subjects, such as access and deletion, and make sure you can respond quickly according to GDPR timelines.

Data protection impact assessments (DPIAs): Perform DPIAs for high-risk processing operations and document them as part of your compliance efforts.

Vendor and partner due diligence: Ensure that your third-party vendors and partners also comply with GDPR. Sign GDPR-compliant data processing agreements (DPAs) with them.

Data security: Enforce robust security measures like encryption, access controls, and regular audits. Monitor for breaches and maintain a clear response plan. Scytale can help businesses to spot compliance risks and generate precise reports, ensuring that data is always safe and fully meets strict data protection laws.

Record keeping: Maintain comprehensive records of data processing activities, as required by GDPR. This documentation helps demonstrate your commitment to compliance.

Regular audits and updates: Continuously monitor and audit your GDPR compliance efforts. As regulations evolve, update your processes and policies accordingly.

Staying ahead in 2024 

In 2024, GDPR remains an essential cornerstone of global data protection. In an era where data breaches and privacy concerns continually make headlines, GDPR acts as a leading safeguard for personal data on a global scale. This regulation isn’t just a set of guidelines; it’s a commitment to responsible data management and security.

And remember, GDPR compliance is not a one-time effort but a continuous process of improvement and adaptation to new challenges and regulations.

Scytale’s compliance automation platform and integrations will streamline your compliance journey. By combining these features with the help of an Employer of Record solution, like Playroll that protects your company from regulatory bottlenecks, you’ll be able to navigate global regulations effortlessly.