Privacy Shield GDPR

What is Privacy Shield Certification?

The EU Privacy Shield framework was developed by the U.S. and European Union to safeguard private data transmission between the two continents.

The privacy shield agreement sets standards for both employee and customer data transfers, as well as any use of third party vendors.

So if your business or organization exchanges data between the U.S. and E.U., you’ll want to strongly consider privacy shield self-certification to ensure all data privacy shield requirements are met.

GDPR vs Privacy Shield: Understanding the Difference

Though they are directly related, Privacy Shield and GDPR are distinct.

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a set of legal requirements for protecting the privacy and security of the personal data of citizens or residents of the European Union.

Privacy Shield is a framework designed to facilitate data transfer between the European Union and the United States while complying with Europe's data protection laws.

Who Is Subject to Privacy Shield/GDPR Compliance?

Whether based in the EU or not, any organization that handles the data of citizens or residents of the European Union is subject to the GDPR.

Going through Privacy Shield is initially voluntary, but once an organization complies with the framework and self-certifies, it becomes legally required to comply with the requirements.

How to Comply With GDPR Under Privacy Shield

To comply with the GDPR under Privacy Shield, an organization must join the Privacy Shield GDPR program and self-certify, which requires the following steps:

• Confirm that your organization is eligible for the program
• Create a compliant privacy policy statement
• Clarify what your organization's recourse mechanism will be
• Pay the arbitration fund fee
• Implement a compliance verification process
• Select an individual within your organization to serve as the Privacy Shield contact
• Review requirements and submit your organization's self-certification

RSI Security's GDPR compliant services provide expert guidance to ensure a smooth and successful self-certification process.

The Importance of the Privacy Shield Certification

Though Privacy Shield certification is voluntary, it may be the best data privacy certification for organizations handling significant amounts of personal data from Europe.

Organizations that join show their commitment to digital security, safeguarding personal data, and taking the initiative to adhere to a higher standard. Additionally, doing so helps ensure the implementation of robust security controls, reflects well on your organization, and furthers industry efforts to encourage higher standards worldwide.

Non-Compliance Penalties

Failing to comply with Privacy Shield GDPR requirements after joining the program could lead to penalties of up to $40,000 per day or per violation.