The GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) was introduced in all EU member states in 2018, with the deadline for corporate compliance established as May 25^th of that year.

While this date was more than four years ago, however, it’s thought that 45% of European and UK still worry about their privacy online, while only 67% of those on the continent are fully aware of GDPR and its purpose.

This suggests that businesses could go further in implementing GDPR principles and putting their customers at ease. But how can you make your venture GDPR compliant in 2022?

Appraising the Impact of GDPR

The GDPR legislation was rolled out to help provide better protection for users’ data online, particularly in terms of the customer information stored by brands and businesses.

However, studies have revealed that a surprisingly low proportion of businesses in Europe and the UK are GDPR compliant, with this issue particularly prominent among middle market ventures on the continent.

According to one survey of European businesses with a turnover of less than €100 million across 34 countries, 30% of respondents admit they’re still not compliant with GDPR and struggling to embrace this legislation.

Interestingly, 28% have said that the associated regulations make it more difficult to trade with firms outside Europe, which is why a growing number are turning to expert consultancy firms to help understand the risks and benefits of GDPR compliance.

What Other Steps Can You Take to Drive Compliance?

The question that remains, of course, is how else can you make your business more GDPR compliant in 2022? Here are some ideas to keep in mind:

• #1. Raise Awareness In-House: Regardless of whether you employ one or 100 members of staff, it’s important that you raise awareness about the impact of GDPR and why it’s so important. It’s also important to understand how the legislation relates to your firm’s precise policies and operations, especially in terms of handing data, storing information and the consequences of failing to comply.
• #2. Audit Your Data: GDPR legislation is built almost entirely on the collation and storage of data, along with its source and ways in which your business intends to use it. So, it makes logical sense to identify precisely what datasets and information your business holds on individual customers, before determining whether this is relevant. Make no mistake; you should discard any data that is unnecessary or isn’t being used.
• #3. Privacy Review: Customer data should be respected and secured at all times, with GDPR legislation also focused on safeguarding the confidentiality of the information held by your customer. So, you must undertake a review of your policy with regards to privacy, ensuring that regular adjustments are made to optimise confidentiality at all times. This drives greater compliance and shows that you’re actively trying to reduce the risk of sensitive data being compromised.