For all those who are using Cloud apps or developed cloud apps, you need to know that the new European law may impact your work. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR for short) brought together data protection for all the EU residents, and it also discusses the processing of personal data outside the European Union, an element that may impact the cloud users.

Many believe that this new regulation implies that the EU citizens’ personal data should stay inside EU, but the truth is the data can be stored anywhere on the Globe, as long as it complies with the GDPR.

If you’re in the business with EU residents, here is what you need to know. EU created some rules, along with some new roles as data controller, data processor or data protection officer.

The Data Controller

The data controller establishes how the personally identifiable information is handled and the intention of it. This action can be made inside or outside EU, as long as you respect the rules.

The Data Processor

The data processor control, protect and processes the personal data. GDPR considers the processor the one responsible for breaches. This role became really important, especially when you consider the cloud-based platforms because here anybody can be considered noncompliant.

Even if not you personally did something wrong, you can still get in trouble if the cloud provider let’s say didn’t respect the rules.

The Data Protection Officer (The DPO)

If you work with a cloud app in any way, you need to have a DPO, especially if you process the EU residents’ data. This role is entitled to teach your employees about GDPR, make sure you are compliant, and it also has the obligation to communicate with the regulators in case of violation.

First steps to be GDPR compliant

If among your audience there are EU citizens, which probably is true, you should act on these regulations immediately. It is a little late, but it isn’t too late to comply with GDPR.

An important step is to update the SLAs to mention terms about your compliance with GDPR. Both the business owner and the cloud provider may suffer if not complying, and each one can suffer if the other does something wrong.

You should also drive internal compliance audits every year so you can understand better the implications of GDPR and the financial costs if you don’t comply.

Closing Thoughts

GDPR is a serious regulation all around the world, especially for those who are working with EU’s residents’ personal data. You need to be careful and comply with these regulations, and take action now, so you, your partners and clients won’t suffer later.

GDPR may be a hard subject for everybody, as it implies rules and laws, but we can help you adjust your Cloud Apps and stay carefree from now on.

Give us a sign and let’s talk about your app and what it should be done in order to respect the EU’s regulations.