General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is an EU data privacy law designed to protect individuals' personal information and give them greater control over how their data is collected, stored, and used. It applies to any organization that processes the personal data of EU citizens, regardless of where the business is based. This includes industries such as technology and e-commerce (online retailers and SaaS platforms), healthcare (medical institutions handling patient records), finance (banks, insurers, and payment processors), and marketing & advertising (companies collecting user behavior data).
Key GDPR Requirements
Businesses must implement strong security controls, transparent data policies, and user consent mechanisms to protect personal information. The regulation emphasizes:
- Lawful Data Processing – Organizations must have a valid reason (such as consent or contractual necessity) to collect and use personal data.
- Data Subject Rights – Individuals have the right to access, correct, delete, and restrict the use of their data.
- Breach Notification – Companies must report data breaches to regulators within 72 hours.
- Data Protection by Design – Security and privacy must be integrated into all data processing activities.
Why GDPR Compliance Matters
Non-compliance can result in substantial fines, up to €20 million or 4% of annual global revenue, whichever is higher. Beyond financial penalties, failing to meet GDPR standards can erode customer trust, damage reputation, and disrupt business operations.
How Businesses Can Strengthen GDPR Compliance
To comply with GDPR, organizations must adopt strong encryption, implement strict access controls, and continuously monitor data to secure personal information. Solutions like Theodosiana offer advanced access management, data tracking, and security enforcement, helping businesses reduce risk and maintain compliance while integrating seamlessly into existing security frameworks.