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®
The woman who helped me was great and fun to talk with while I watched my voluminous piles of papers being shredded. She carefully looked... read moreThe woman who helped me was great and fun to talk with while I watched my voluminous piles of papers being shredded. She carefully looked in to make sure everything was shredded and redid a few things that were not. The price was great and I really like the new Tinley Park location. read less
Mary SchwartzOur company began using Proshred a little over 3 years ago and we couldn't be happier.Great Company awesome customer service. Dennis Lyons ( Sales Manager)... read moreOur company began using Proshred a little over 3 years ago and we couldn't be happier.Great Company awesome customer service. Dennis Lyons ( Sales Manager) is great! He takes care of everything we need,he makes the shredding process easy breezy, he is always ready to help and is so upbeat. read less
Lizette HerreraGreat service, great prices, what more could you want?
SimoneGreat company! They came right to our business and carried everything out-went without a hitch!
LynneDefinately use Proshred for your business private document shredding. They are reliable, timely, and affordable.
Ugochi BakerWe were looking for a shredding service that we could trust and fairly priced. Proshred is perfect for both. They come pick up... read moreWe were looking for a shredding service that we could trust and fairly priced. Proshred is perfect for both. They come pick up and you can watch via the video screen on the outside of the truck your items being shredded onsite! No mystery about where your documents are being taken! Destruction notice issued immediately. Pickups are scheduled and they arrive at the designated time you are given. I highly recommend Proshred for all your document shredding needs! read less
Valorie PeckPositive experience from beginning to end. I had a consultation and less than a week later Pro Shred was out at my company. ... read morePositive experience from beginning to end. I had a consultation and less than a week later Pro Shred was out at my company. Very courteous with their reminders and follow up. The guys were great - came in and introduced themselves, letting us know about the whole process, asking if we had any questions. Can't beat their customer service. And the price was unbeatable! read less
KristaWe use Proshred Southern NJ for our business, have used them for other functions and have referred them to many of our customers. Excellent... read moreWe use Proshred Southern NJ for our business, have used them for other functions and have referred them to many of our customers. Excellent service and certainly takes the worries out of any of our shredding issues. I highly recommend contacting Simone to discuss her shredding business. read less
MartyProshred provides a courteous, on time solution for business. We have used them for a few years and plan to continue using ProShred for many... read moreProshred provides a courteous, on time solution for business. We have used them for a few years and plan to continue using ProShred for many years to come! read less
Sarah HamiltonProshred is well managed by staff who are honest and very customer focused. Whenever I am asked for a recommendation for shredding service, I always... read moreProshred is well managed by staff who are honest and very customer focused. Whenever I am asked for a recommendation for shredding service, I always point to ProShred. read less
JennyProShred does an excellent job with our shedding needs. The person who comes by and picks up is always friendly and makes sure we all... read moreProShred does an excellent job with our shedding needs. The person who comes by and picks up is always friendly and makes sure we all have put our shedding in the container.
Great valve!!!! read lessDonPro Shred does an excellent job for our office. They are very professional and your documents are safe and secure, always!
Mike BakerWe just had Adam shredding our documents at Lambert & Pryor Insurance in Feeding Hills, MA. Very nice, professional, and hard working. A++... read moreWe just had Adam shredding our documents at Lambert & Pryor Insurance in Feeding Hills, MA. Very nice, professional, and hard working. A++ to you and your firm. Thank you. read less
MarkGreat service for our many boxes of old documents that needed shredding. Timing of service at the store was good as well.
Mary Sue WysockiWe have love working with Proshred. This is our 3rd year with them and have been thrilled with their service. We really appreciate that they... read moreWe have love working with Proshred. This is our 3rd year with them and have been thrilled with their service. We really appreciate that they shred onsite, so we never have to worry that any confidential records have left our location. Their prices are reasonable and their employees are professional. I would recommend Proshred to any size company, read less
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