By Jenny Phipps, Qlic IT for Charities.
A narrated version of this blog is available at the bottom of the page
As we navigate through a rapidly evolving digital landscape, the importance of data protection and cyber security has never been more critical. The introduction of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in May 2018 has significantly reshaped how organisations handle data on a large scale.
We will examine how this regulation has impacted how charities store and process sensitive data and. As well as what measures should be put in place to ensure charity data remains secure from cyber threats at all times. By having a proper understanding and the right IT solutions in place, GDPR compliance, data protection and charities should have a successful symbiotic relationship.
Understanding GDPR for charities
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) was designed to regulate data protection and privacy standards across the EU. As charities handle sensitive data from donors and beneficiaries, they have a legal obligation to adhere to GDPR. It also allows charities to increase trust with donors by offering complete transparency.
Understanding GDPR is crucial for charities. It guides you on the nature of data you collect, and how it should be managed and protected. This in turn outlines charity relationships with donors, volunteers, and beneficiaries.
Data breach fines
The importance of abiding by data protection laws cannot be overstated. Non-compliance can lead to serious consequences, including substantial fines. The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has a range of tools to enforce GDPR. These include assessment notices, warnings, reprimands, enforcement notices, and penalty notices.
Non-compliance can also result in negative attention for your charity, damaging reputation and donor trust. One example of an organisation that was heavily fined for non-compliance of GDPR is British Airways. They were fined a total of £20 million for failing to protect the personal and credential details of their 400,000 loyal customers.
Data protection principles for charities
There are several GDPR principles that relate to the nonprofit sector. These include lawfulness, fairness and transparency, purpose limitation, data minimisation, accuracy, storage limitation, integrity and confidentiality, and accountability.
One of the key principles is data minimisation. Charities should only collect data that is necessary. For example, a charity might only need a donor’s name, contact details, and donation amount, rather than additional unnecessary information.
Consent is another crucial principle of GDPR for charities. This means you must obtain permission from donors before collecting and using their data. This can be achieved through consent forms informing them of how the data will be used.
There must also be robust processing of personal data in place. This is to maintain the accuracy of data, store it securely, and protect it from unauthorised access or loss. This links to accountability.
The role of IT solutions in ensuring compliance
IT solutions help to achieve and maintain GDPR compliance and data protection for charities. Let’s take a look at how IT solutions simplify regulation compliance and data protection:
Data encryption
IT solutions provide strong encryption methods to protect sensitive data, ensuring that even if data is intercepted, it cannot be read without the correct decryption key.
Access controls
Some IT systems allow for granular access controls, ensuring that only authorised staff can access certain data. Microsoft InTune is a great example of this.
User authentication
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds an extra layer of security that requires authentication from the user. This can either be through an app notification or a one-time passcode.
Data backup and recovery
Ensuring your organisation has data backups and recovery options in place is crucial to avoid data loss. This ensures the confidential principle of GDPR and allows for ultimate data protection. A great example of this is Datto Backupify.
Incident detection and response
IT systems can help detect potential data breaches that may affect your organisation and respond to it promptly. This helps to mitigate the risks and reduce damage.
Training and awareness
Now, last but not least, training and awareness for staff. There are lots of training platforms available that can deliver GDPR training, for example Proofpoint, this has some great GDPR compliance and data protection training resources.
Closing remarks
Data protection and GDPR for charities is a legal obligation. Using IT solutions, nonprofits can effectively implement data encryption, backup and recovery, user authentication, and much more that are essential for data protection.
Working with an IT solutions partner can significantly simplify this process. Leveraging IT and partnering with experts can help nonprofits secure their data and maintain regulatory compliance.
Free cyber security consultation
Are you looking for a trustworthy IT solutions specialist to help protect your charity’s data? Contact the expert team at Qlic IT for Charities on enquiries@qlicnfp.com.
