How Emerging Data Regulations Will Affect Your Business

As data theft and the unauthorized or careless use of data rapidly increases, government is pressured into tightening the screws on the handling of personal information. Even with so many companies investing in data privacy measures, those who aren’t have created the need for further regulation.

Given the history of data privacy regulations, additional regulations and changes to existing regulations will likely emerge regularly.

Who Does This Affect?

Emerging data regulations will have an effect on the daily operations of these groups of businesses:

1. Data Controllers: Any organization that possesses the personal information of any individual. In some cases, smaller data controllers are exempt, but for the most part, all data controllers are responsible to stay up to date and follow current and emerging data regulations.
2. Data Processors: Any third party that is engaged by a Data Controller to process personal information. Data Processors include paper shredding services, media shredding services, computer recycling firms, IT Asset Disposition Service (ITAD) providers, record and data storage firms, document imaging and scanning services, and similar businesses. Data Processors are held accountable for any personal information that they generate, handle, and dispose of.

Emerging Data Regulations

With some states already passing regulations that limit how data controllers collect, share, and protect personal information, it is inevitable that other states will review their regulations and follow suit. For instance, California has already passed the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), restricting the way data controllers collect, store, share and destroy private information.

As further precaution, on January 1 of this year, the state implemented the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA) that limits the amount of information that can be collected. Retention of information is limited to only what is necessary. It is only a matter of time that other states will pass similar acts. Colorado and Virginia have already passed additional data regulations.

How to Be Prepared

Increased regulation can appear frustrating, but if you are already following and staying current on data collection and processing regulations, increased security will only strengthen your relationship with the companies and people whose information you handle. Here’s some ways to be prepared in advance of emerging data regulations:

1. Be Transparent. This will keep your business aligned with laws and build trust with your staff and your customers.
2. Stay Current. Ensure you abide by all current laws and implement future laws as they are enacted.
3. Train Staff. Make sure your staff understand what information is appropriate to collect, what is not necessary, and how to protect that information.
4. Respond to Queries. You and your staff must always respond to every inquiry a customer makes about their information. They have the freedom to opt out of their information being shared, or may even request that you delete their information. To remain compliant, you must respond to every request.
5. Create a Policy. Having a Data Subject Response Policy and a Data Protection Officer will increase your data collection, processing, and storage effectiveness.
6. Partner with a Shredding Company. Invest in working with a NAID AAA certified shredding company. When the companies you do business with are compliant, you can have peace of mind that your customers information is protected and safely handled.

When you partner with a shredding company like Shred Boss, you can be confident that all of the secure information on your discarded material is well protected and properly destroyed. We serve the businesses and residents of Southeastern New Mexico with NAID AAA Certified paper shredding and media destruction services, and we will also provide you with a Certificate of Destruction as proof of your compliance with data privacy regulations. For more information or a free quote, give us a call at 575-347-4733 or complete the form on this page. We’re standing by to help!