Data protection policy

Goal of the data protection policy

The goal of the data protection policy is to depict the legal data protection aspects in one summarising document. It can also be used as the basis for statutory data protection inspections, e.g. by the customer within the scope of commissioned processing. This is not only to ensure compliance with the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) but also to provide proof of compliance.

Preamble

Brief description of the company and motivation to comply with data protection.

Security policy and responsibilities in the company

For a company, in addition to existing corporate objectives, the highest data protection goals are to be defined and documented. Data protection goals are based on data protection principles and must be individually modified for every company.
Determination of roles and responsibilities (e.g. representatives of the company, operational data protection officers, coordinators or data protection team and operational managers)
Commitment to continuous improvement of a data protection management system
Training, sensitisation and obligation of the employees

Legal framework in the company

Industry-specific legal or conduct regulations for handling personal data
Requirements of internal and external parties
Applicable laws, possibly with special local regulations

Documentation

Conducted internal and external inspections
Data protection need: determination of protection need with regard to confidentiality, integrity and availability. The BSI Standard 100-2 categories from the German Federal Office for Information Security [Bundesamt für Sicherheit in der Informationstechnik – BSI] are helpful, e.g.: ‘normal’, ‘high’ and ‘very high’.

Existing technical and organisational measures (TOM)

Appropriate technical and organisational measures that must be implemented and substantiated, taking into account, inter alia, the purpose of the processing, the state of the technology and the implementation costs.

The description of the implemented TOM can, for example, be based on the structure of ISO/IEC 27002, taking into account ISO/IEC 29151 (guidelines for the protection of personal data). The respective chapters should be substantiated by referencing the existing guidelines.

Examples of such guidelines include:

Guideline for the rights of data subjects
Access control
Information classification (and handling thereof)
Physical and environmental-related security for end users such as:
- Permissible use of values
- Guideline for information transfer based on the work environment and screen locks
- Mobile devices and telecommuting
- Restriction of software installation and use
Data backup
Information transfer
Protection against malware
Handling technical weak points
Cryptographic measures
Communication security
Privacy and protection of personal information
Supplier relationships: Noting regular inspection and evaluation of data processing, especially the efficacy of the implemented technical and organisational measures.

Data protection policy

Goal of the data protection policy

Preamble

Brief description of the company and motivation to comply with data protection.

Security policy and responsibilities in the company

For a company, in addition to existing corporate objectives, the highest data protection goals are to be defined and documented. Data protection goals are based on data protection principles and must be individually modified for every company.

Determination of roles and responsibilities (e.g. representatives of the company, operational data protection officers, coordinators or data protection team and operational managers)

Commitment to continuous improvement of a data protection management system

Training, sensitisation and obligation of the employees

Legal framework in the company

Industry-specific legal or conduct regulations for handling personal data

Requirements of internal and external parties

Applicable laws, possibly with special local regulations

Documentation

Conducted internal and external inspections

Existing technical and organisational measures (TOM)

Appropriate technical and organisational measures that must be implemented and substantiated, taking into account, inter alia, the purpose of the processing, the state of the technology and the implementation costs.

The description of the implemented TOM can, for example, be based on the structure of ISO/IEC 27002, taking into account ISO/IEC 29151 (guidelines for the protection of personal data). The respective chapters should be substantiated by referencing the existing guidelines.

Examples of such guidelines include:

Guideline for the rights of data subjects

Access control

Information classification (and handling thereof)

Physical and environmental-related security for end users such as:

Permissible use of values

Guideline for information transfer based on the work environment and screen locks

Mobile devices and telecommuting

Restriction of software installation and use

Data backup

Information transfer

Protection against malware

Handling technical weak points

Cryptographic measures

Communication security

Privacy and protection of personal information

Supplier relationships: Noting regular inspection and evaluation of data processing, especially the efficacy of the implemented technical and organisational measures.