What Services Does GDPR Consultancy Include?
If you’re running a business that deals with customers from EU-member states, ensuring GDPR compliance is essential. Failure to comply can result in legal repercussions and hefty fines that can devastate your business.
As a result of the huge threat noncompliance poses on businesses dealing with EU-based customers, there’s been a rise in GDPR consultancy firms in recent years. Such firms present themselves as a one-stop-shop for all-things data protection.
That said, since GDPR consultancy encompasses a wide scope of responsibilities, it can be hard to figure out what services these include. So in this article, we’re looking closely at GDPR consultancy and what it is, the services it includes, and whether or not you need this for your company.
What Is GDPR Consultancy?
GDPR consultancy is a service that handles all your GDPR compliance needs for you. When you hire a GDPR consultancy firm, they will take charge of your website’s data protection, ensuring that you have all the documentation to prove that you’re GDPR compliant and that all the online data you collect is handled how it should be.
Since it can be quite broad, let’s take a closer look at what services GDPR consultancy firms can offer your business.
What Services Does GDPR Consultancy Include?
As mentioned earlier, GDPR consultancy encompasses many services. And depending on which firm you hire, the services may vary. However, here’s a quick list of all the services that a high-quality firm can offer its clients.
Data Mapping and Information Asset Register Compiling
It’s very important that GDPR consultancy includes compiling an Information asset register and data mapping. This classifies all the data you handle as a Data Controller or a Data Processor as well as where the data comes from and when it was collected. Additionally, this service includes keeping track of why this data was recorded, the risks associated with this data, as well as the person or persons responsible for the data.
Policy Drafting and Review
A crucial aspect of GDPR compliance is crafting a privacy and cookie policy that all website visitors can access. Doing this can be quite complicated as the policies must be GDPR-compliant. Luckily, GDPR consultancy often includes drafting a GDPR-compliant cookie policy, and if you already have one, the firm can also review your cookie policy and determine whether or not it complies with GDPR regulations. This should also include creating information consent forms that visitors will see when they enter your website to allow them to control the cookies on the site.
Records of Processing Activity
The GDPR requires websites and companies to have records of processing activity or a RoPA. GDPR consultancy firms can help you with this and ensure you can cite lawful reasons why certain data was collected and how it was used.
Remaining GDPR-compliant requires you to document a lot of your operations regarding the way you record and process data. This is something that many organisations struggle with and is one of the biggest reasons why GDPR consultancy firms are so important.
Data Protection Training
GDPR states that employees must be trained in how to protect and handle data in accordance with the regulations. When you hire a GDPR consultancy firm, they can conduct annual training seminars and sessions on data protection that will educate senior managers and other employees on how important it is to protect customer data and how exactly they can accomplish that.
Impact Assessment and Gap Analysis
It’s very important to constantly assess your data and the gaps in your data protection plan. With GDPR consultancy, you will get just that so you constantly know where your data protection is at and how you can make up for any lapses.
Data Sharing
Sharing data with third parties is tricky under GDPR. However, a GDPR consultancy typically comes with a service that ensures that you transfer and share data legally and safely, which is crucial for many organisations.
Privacy by Design
GDPR consultancy firms will be able to craft data protection plans according to your company’s value, industry, and preferences. This is a tailored service that’s important for any company running a business that deals with EU customers.
Data Protection Readiness
GDPR consultancy allows you to always be ready to prove your GDPR compliance, which is yet another reason to work with a GDPR consultancy firm.
Conclusion
GDPR consultants offer their customers a vast range of services to meet all of their needs when it comes to GDPR compliance. From data mapping and information asset register compiling to reviewing existing or drafting new policies, most quality GDPR firms offer the complete package to ensure your compliance with GDPR laws.
With that said, it’s essential that you establish your needs and only seek the services of a GDPR consultancy firm that can meet every single one of your GDPR needs, or else, you’re still at threat of noncompliance.
