General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
What Is the GDPR?
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) replaces the Data Protection Directive of 1995, which came into play barely four years after the advent of the internet, back when massive, online data breaches were not possible. The purpose of the GDPR is to act as the new, overarching legislation regarding the way companies around the world manage and protect personal data belonging to citizens of the European Union. It is a much-needed update to privacy legislation –one that takes into account the shape of society in a connected world.
Complying with GDPR is about more than just avoiding fines. Keeping the goodwill of clients and partners is key to the competitiveness of a business. However, organizations that are impacted by a breach can be fined up to 20 Million Euros or 4% of annual revenue.
More Than Just Online
While most of the factors that affect GDPR compliance are related to online activities, there is an important offline component that businesses need to account for: the necessity to diligently destroy hard drives and schedule document shredding. If left to your staff, these two activities can create considerable risk for your business.
Impact of the GDPR on Your Business
To answer this question accurately for your organization and understand the specific processes and implementations that you need to carry out, you will need to conduct a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA). This assessment will let you evaluate areas where your business is at risk of noncompliance, so you can remediate them. However, read on an find out about three key topics that apply to all businesses, and can help you grasp the scope of the GDPR:
- What personal data is?
- How long you can keep personal data?
- What to do in case of a data breach?
What Entails Personal Data Under the GDPR?
Any information that can on its own be used to identify a living individual is personal data. If the information on its own can’t identify the person, but in conjunction with other pieces of information it can do so, then it is also considered personal data. Additionally, if personal data has been processed –for example, encrypted– but this processing is potentially reversible, it still falls within the scope of the GDPR.
For How Long Can Data Be Kept?
The answer is both simple and complex: get rid of it as soon as you don’t need it anymore, by scheduling hard drive shredding and document shredding. Understand the real need for the data you store and establish a process to destroy it or review it after a certain amount of time. Let this time not be shorter than the one specified by legal obligations to keep that data.
What Should I Do in Case of a Data Breach?
When the personal data you are responsible for is exposed, you have 72 hours to notify the corresponding authorities. If the breach poses considerable risk for the individuals whose data was exposed, you need to notify the affected individuals as well. Data breach reporting is key for compliance, whether you depend on in-house experts or third-party vendors.
PROSHRED® Security Is Your Trusted Shredding Partner
When the time comes to get rid of sensitive documents and old hard drives, you can depend on PROSHRED® Security. Our certified professional shredding services are fully compliant with current privacy regulations and are carried out at your convenience on your premises. The process is irreversible, and you can watch it as it unfolds inside the truck through a live camera feed. You will receive a certificate of destruction to prove that you have done your part.
What Are People Saying About PROSHRED®
ProShred is easy and inexpensive.
I have limited need for shredding services--every year or two, I need to shred some old credit card slips and bank... read moreProShred is easy and inexpensive.
I have limited need for shredding services--every year or two, I need to shred some old credit card slips and bank statements and such. It is always very easy to load 8-10 boxes of stuff in the back of my station wagon, drive it over to ProShred and then unload it into a bin, pay the fee and I'm on my way. Easy peasy. The staff is aways friendly and cheerful; they will do my shredding for the foreseeable future. read lessDave5/09/2017The greatest company very pleasant customer service. Made my appointment,received a follow-up call with delivery time. I was given a 2 hour window and they... read moreThe greatest company very pleasant customer service. Made my appointment,received a follow-up call with delivery time. I was given a 2 hour window and they arrived very early within that window. The two men who came were incredibly kind and very fast. I will recommend Proshred Security to everyone one. Thanks for putting my mind at ease when getting rid of my personal documents. read less
Carol11/28/2016-
Talk about taking the worry out of things, from the paper schedule to the lady who calls to confirm the schedule the day before... read moreTalk about taking the worry out of things, from the paper schedule to the lady who calls to confirm the schedule the day before to the driver(s) who are courteous and professional to even the owner whom I've had answer the phones and help me, this is a top notch organization read less
Todd12/31/2019 Great service and fast to answer any questions and help with any issues. We use ProShred for all our companies.
Kyle12/06/2017Pro Shred was awesome. Our service tech, Robert, was fantastic. He was professional and did a wonderful quick job. We have used... read morePro Shred was awesome. Our service tech, Robert, was fantastic. He was professional and did a wonderful quick job. We have used this company several times and would highly recommend them. read less
Trish10/03/2018An very easy solution to keeping your documents properly destroyed.
Jaime3/05/2014I have known and worked with Nguyen Violette for many years. He is dedicated to offering the best possible customer service! I can not recommend... read moreI have known and worked with Nguyen Violette for many years. He is dedicated to offering the best possible customer service! I can not recommend them highly enough! read less
Jennifer11/16/2017We feel very safe in using ProShred to destroy private business documents. This comfort level comes with seeing same employee come each month to... read moreWe feel very safe in using ProShred to destroy private business documents. This comfort level comes with seeing same employee come each month to service our account since signing on years ago. He is always courteous, knowledgable, professional and happy! Tracy Curran, President J. J. Curran & Son, Inc. read less
Tracy4/27/2017-
Wonderful service! Terry is friendly and always willing to help!
Norma1/08/2019 On time, pleasant, reasonable and efficient. Facilitated a house clean out if 20+ years of paperwork
Carol7/18/2017-
Jim is amazing. He always give me the dates I need for destruction, he is always so helpful with all my staff and customers. ... read moreJim is amazing. He always give me the dates I need for destruction, he is always so helpful with all my staff and customers. His drivers and shredders are courteous helpful and extremely hard working. Mike in his office is dependable and helpful. Great service team would 100 percent recommend him to everyone. read less
Mary9/25/2019 These are the guys to use! Very professional and what a pleasure to do business with. I would only use Proshred for #shredding in Minnesota!
Brock12/01/2016Emmanuel is professional, friendly and a fast worker. Thank you for great service!
Jim7/20/2017Just used Proshred services for the second time!! They are quick, easy to work with and very efficient. Love that I get to see the... read moreJust used Proshred services for the second time!! They are quick, easy to work with and very efficient. Love that I get to see the destruction of documents. Cannot wait to use them again next year!! read less
Kelly8/02/2017Everyone at proshred is professional and caring! They are a great example of how everyone should run their business! Try them and see for yourself... read moreEveryone at proshred is professional and caring! They are a great example of how everyone should run their business! Try them and see for yourself as everyone who owned a business needs the service they provide! read less
Wendy7/16/2017
