Navigating data protection as a business in 2023

Data protection has emerged as a critical concern for individuals and organisations in today’s digital age. As a recruiter, safeguarding personal data is not only a legal obligation but also an ethical responsibility. In this blog, our colleague shares her insights on data protection and practical tips on handling it effectively in 2023. She’ll also explain how we can protect your business. 

 

What is data protection? 

Data protection is the process of safeguarding sensitive information from unauthorised access, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction. Companies collect various data types, including personal information like names, addresses, and phone numbers.  

Moreover, businesses compile sensitive data like financial and medical records. Protecting this information is crucial, as data breaches can cause severe financial and reputational harm. 

 

The importance of data protection for businesses 

Data protection is essential to maintain your business and improve brand value. Forbes stated that 46% of organisations damaged their reputation and brand value due to a privacy breach. Luckily, we can help you out. Below you’ll find five tips on how to protect your data.   

 

Five tips on how to protect your data  

There are several ways businesses can protect their data, including: 

  1. Regular backups
    Backing up your data on a regular basis is crucial as it enables you to restore information and prevent permanent loss by breaches or disasters.
  2. Limit access
    Implementing controls and granting permissions on a need-to-know basis minimises the risk of unauthorised individuals gaining access to sensitive data.
  3. Employee training
    Train your employees on password security, phishing awareness, and reporting suspicious activities. This way, they will become the first line of defence against potential threats.
  4. Vulnerability assessments
    Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing help you proactively identify and address security weaknesses before malicious actors exploit them.
  5. Data encryption
    Encrypting sensitive data provides an extra layer of protection. It ensures that individuals with unauthorised access can’t decipher or use the information without the decryption key. 

 

When can companies process data, and under which conditions? 

The type and amount of personal data companies can process depend on the reason and intended use. Companies are allowed to process data when they obtain explicit consent from individuals. If it’s necessary to fulfil a contract, for legal compliance or legitimate interests.  

However, companies should ensure that they only collect data necessary for their purposes and protect it from unauthorised access. 

 

The types of data that must be protected 

Information that needs protection includes credit card numbers, social security numbers, health information, and passwords. Companies must protect this data to prevent identity theft, fraud, and other malicious activities.  

For instance, credit card numbers are susceptible, and criminals can use them to make unauthorised purchases. They can also use health information to blackmail or discriminate against individuals. 

 

Dutch data leak 

Today, data leaks of companies and individuals continue to occur. An article from March 2023 reveals that we are further from achieving data protection than expected. This data breach affected at least 2 million Dutch customer records in the Netherlands. The General Data Protection Regulation in the EU provides several rights and protections for victims of this breach. 

 

EU personal data privacy regulation 

The EU enacted the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in May 2018 to protect European citizens’ personal data privacy. Its purpose is to harmonise EU data protection laws and give individuals more control over their personal data.      

General Data Protection Regulation requires companies to obtain explicit consent from individuals before collecting their data. Furthermore, they must notify individuals of any data breaches and allow them to access, rectify, or delete their personal information. 

 

How do we help businesses in terms of data protection? 

As a recruitment agency based in Amsterdam, we specialise in security, data, and cloud. We provide various ways to help you or your business to enhance data protection. This is how: 

  • Highly skilled experts
    Data protection requires skilled professionals who understand the complexities of securing sensitive information. We know how to identify and attract candidates with the necessary expertise and experience in data protection. Our network grants us access to the best and well-versed IT professionals in data security practices. 
  • Expert knowledge
    We stay up-to-date with the latest trends, best practices, and emerging technologies in data protection. Our knowledge can inform businesses about valuable industry insights. This allows them to understand the current landscape and identify the specific skills and qualifications required for data protection.
  • Confidentiality and handling data
    Our team understands the importance of confidentiality and data protection. We have systems and processes to manage candidate information securely and in compliance with privacy regulations. As partners, we ensure businesses that we handle their data and candidates’ information with utmost care. 

 

If you need help or would like to share your thoughts with us, please feel free to reach out. We are able to create a comprehensive understanding of how our team can specifically assist your business with data protection.