GDPR-Compliant Data Storage:
How Companies Properly Implement Data Protection
How do you store data in a GDPR-compliant manner? Learn about the requirements and how to securely implement data protection with the right strategy and software.
Is Your Data Stored in a GDPR-Compliant Way?
If a company operates in Europe, its processes and systems must comply with the requirements of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
However, GDPR-compliant data storage is far more than a mere IT task. It requires a well-thought-out combination of processes, transparency, and technology.
In this article, you will learn how to implement legally compliant and future-proof data storage with the right data management strategy and software.
Two misconceptions about GDPR are particularly persistent:
Firstly, data protection is often seen as a purely IT task. In practice, however, it affects the entire company. Because a company is only as data protection compliant as the weakest link in its process chain.
Secondly, the GDPR does not exclusively apply to companies within the EU. As soon as you conduct business in Europe or process personal data of EU citizens, the regulations apply – regardless of where your company is located. This also affects many organizations in Switzerland or the USA, for example.
GDPR Also Applies Beyond the EU
High Penalties Make Data Protection Mandatory
The GDPR is not a theoretical framework but is actively enforced. Violations can result in:
- up to 4% of global annual turnover or
- 20 million euros in fines
Data protection is therefore not only a compliance issue but also an economic risk factor.
Goal of GDPR: Transparency and Control
At its core, the GDPR pursues two goals:
Firstly, citizens should regain control over their personal data. Secondly, companies must make transparent how and why data is stored and processed.
The Biggest Challenge: Gaining an Overview of Data
A central element of the GDPR is the right to information.
Companies must be able to provide information about stored personal data at any time.
In theory, this sounds simple – in practice, it quickly becomes complex.
Because many companies face the challenge that...
... data is distributed across various systems
... large parts are unstructured
... different applications and clients are involved
This raises fundamental questions
Where exactly is this data located?
How is it classified?
Who has access to it?
How long may or must it be stored?
The GDPR forces companies to systematically analyze and structure their data landscape.
- In addition to mere data storage, the regulation brings further central requirements.
- These include, among others:
- data portability, i.e., the transferability of data
- the right to be forgotten
- as well as the obligation to report data breaches within 72 hours
- These requirements clearly show: GDPR affects not only technology but entire processes and organizations. Simply storing data on file servers or in DMS systems is usually not sufficient for this.
Further GDPR Requirements
GDPR-Compliant Data Storage with Software-Defined Archiving
A crucial approach for implementation is the Privacy-by-Design principle.
This means: Data protection is not added retrospectively but is an integral part of systems and software from the outset.
Our solutions follow exactly this approach. Data protection is firmly anchored in the architecture and is technically supported.
- The implementation of
- Privacy-by-Design and
- Privacy-by-Default
was also reviewed and confirmed by KPMG for iCAS Classic and iCAS FS.
10 Success Factors for GDPR-Compliant Data Storage
With iTernity’s solutions, a legally compliant data strategy can be implemented in a structured manner.
These include, among others:
Conclusion: GDPR is a Strategic Task
GDPR-compliant data storage primarily means one thing:
maintaining an overview of your own data and clearly structuring processes.
Companies that adopt a well-thought-out strategy early on benefit not only in terms of compliance but also in efficiency, security, and scalability.
With our solutions, you achieve flexible, scalable, and compliance-compliant data archiving
iCAS Classic
iCAS Classic is a flexible middleware for retention management & WORM data archiving. The software solution can be optimally integrated into existing IT infrastructures. While you focus on your core business, iCAS Classic reliably protects the integrity and availability of your data in the background.
iCAS FS
iCAS FS is a scale-out storage platform for various long-term data storage applications. The software-based platform is infinitely scalable and impresses with low total cost of ownership, easy handling, and high flexibility. Whether as secure backup storage, audit-proof archive, secondary storage, or cost-efficient object storage – iCAS FS meets your requirements in the long term.
iCAS Capture
With iCAS Capture, you extend your archiving strategy to include the direct capture of data from various sources.
The add-on automatically reads relevant information and seamlessly integrates it into the shares of iCAS FS or iCAS Classic. The data is then available in an audit-proof manner and can be securely removed from productive systems, significantly reducing operational effort, storage requirements, and complexity.
