EU / US Privacy Shield Affects Your Organisation

When you're choosing a cloud provider or a partner to work with, where you physically store your data probably isn't one of the first things that you think about. However, it should be, as exporting data to foreign countries can result in severe penalties and could see you in breach of EU law.

One big issue is the EU-US Privacy Shield, which came into effect on 12 July 2016. It governs data transfer of personally identifiable information (PII) between Europe and America. Under this directive, US companies have to be certified, guaranteeing that European data is adequately protected, processed and shielded from mass US surveillance. 
If you have any data storage or processing taking place on US servers, you need to ensure that the companies you're working with have the right certification.

Changing Tides

Of course, legislation can change, and you may suddenly find that a service is no longer compliant. The US, for example, may introduce new laws or executive orders that directly overrule the safeguards put in place for processing EU data. 
At the same time, if the EU rules that the Privacy Shield is no longer valid, data stored and processed on US servers would suddenly fall foul of European law again.

Even after Britain leaves the EU, any company processing European data will need to maintain levels of compliance.

The original agreement between the EU and the US, Safe Harbour, is a case in point; although it was initially implemented in 2000, Edward Snowden’s revelations about the US National Security Agency and its monitoring methods raised strong concerns that EU data was no longer safe from snooping in the US. So in 2015, the European Court of Justice ruled that the agreement was invalid. That said, it’s important to note that Brexit won’t change the situation. Even after Britain leaves the EU, any company processing European data will need to maintain the same levels of compliance. If you store or process data outside of the EU and US, then you still need the required level of protection. This makes physical location something that needs careful consideration to ensure that you maintain compliance with local and EU rules.

Stronger barriers

So even with full compliance, storing your data in a different country can add complication to your business. For a start, you have the added problem that your data is subject to foreign law enforcement agencies and laws. This may mean that you have to deal with legal challenges and law enforcement agencies that you find it difficult to communicate with.
Although we live in a world where data transfer is easier, location is increasingly important.

Data transfers are going to get even harder when the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) becomes law on 25 May 2018. Part of the new regulation is a restriction on how and when data can be moved outside the EU. According to the official guidelines from the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO): "Personal data may only be transferred outside of the EU in compliance with the conditions for transfer."

GDPR covers both the temporary transfer of data and long-term storage, through a cloud provider for example. From the terms of GDPR, it's clear that the EU intends to review agreements regularly, which may mean that what was legal one year is no longer legal in another year.

With GDPR allowing for bigger fines for companies in breach of the regulations, up to €20m or 4pc of worldwide turnover, whichever is greater, businesses simply cannot ignore where their data is stored, and must verify that all storage locations are compliant. 

Although we live in a world where data transfer is easier from a technical standpoint, location is increasingly important from a legal perspective. No matter who you do business with, you need to know where your data is physically stored, and that such storage and processing is compliant with current laws.

Privacy Shield:           Telegraph:

You Might Also Read:

Cyber Attacks On Banks Prompt New Regulatory Safeguards:

US and EU Implement Privacy Shield:

Eight Reasons Why US CEOs Care About New EU Privacy Laws:

What Does Brexit Mean For British Data Privacy?:

Tesco Could Have Been Facing £2bn Fine After The Bank Hack:


 

« Teenagers And Cybercrime
Snowden Can Stay In Russia For As Long As He Likes »

CyberSecurity Jobsite
Perimeter 81

Directory of Suppliers

North Infosec Testing (North IT)

North Infosec Testing (North IT)

North IT (North Infosec Testing) are an award-winning provider of web, software, and application penetration testing.

Practice Labs

Practice Labs

Practice Labs is an IT competency hub, where live-lab environments give access to real equipment for hands-on practice of essential cybersecurity skills.

BackupVault

BackupVault

BackupVault is a leading provider of automatic cloud backup and critical data protection against ransomware, insider attacks and hackers for businesses and organisations worldwide.

Authentic8

Authentic8

Authentic8 transforms how organizations secure and control the use of the web with Silo, its patented cloud browser.

ManageEngine

ManageEngine

As the IT management division of Zoho Corporation, ManageEngine prioritizes flexible solutions that work for all businesses, regardless of size or budget.

Huawei

Huawei

Huawei is a leading global ICT solutions provider. with end-to-end capabilities across the carrier networks, enterprise, consumer, and cloud computing fields.

IOActive

IOActive

IOActive serves as a trusted security advisor to the Global 500 and other progressive enterprises, helping to safeguard their most important assets and improve their overall security posture.

Black Kite

Black Kite

Black Kite (formerly NormShield) provides comprehensive Security-as-a-Service solutions focused on cyber threat intelligence, vulnerability management and continuous perimeter monitoring.

Maritime Cyber Alliance

Maritime Cyber Alliance

Maritime Cyber Alliance was established in 2017 by Airbus , CSOAlliance , MCSA & Wididi to provide a medium for both public Cyber Safety advice and for businesses to discuss Cyber concerns.

ReSec Technologies

ReSec Technologies

ReSec provides total protection against all types of known and unknown malware threats including viruses, Trojans, ransomware and phishing, regardless of their delivery method.

Fedco International

Fedco International

Fedco International is an IT and SCADA ICS Security consultancy firm.

Multitel

Multitel

Multitel is an independent research centre. We develop and integrate emerging technologies into the industrial fabric at the regional and international levels.

Maximus Consulting (MX)

Maximus Consulting (MX)

Maximus designs and delivers corporate-wide information security management system with our full-time IRCA Accredited consulting team.

MyCyberSecurity Clinic (MyCSC)

MyCyberSecurity Clinic (MyCSC)

MyCyberSecurity Clinic's main goal is toward establishing an international reference centre for excellence in the field of digital forensics and data recovery services.

SWAT Systems

SWAT Systems

SWAT Systems is an IT support and cyber security managed service provider.

RapidScale

RapidScale

RapidScale’s managed cloud solutions provide reliable, innovative, and secure services, all complete with white-glove service and full management options.

JupiterOne

JupiterOne

JupiterOne is the security product that is changing how organizations manage and secure their software defined assets.

nexSecurity

nexSecurity

neXSecurity is an IT and Information security consulting company with more than 2 decades worth of software development and security experience.

ITConnexion

ITConnexion

From cloud migration to ransomware protection, our managed IT services can be customised to address the most prevalent IT issues for your business.

Cyral

Cyral

Easily observe, control, and protect your data endpoints in a cloud and DevOps-first world. Discover Data Mesh Security with Cyral.

Oregon Systems

Oregon Systems

Oregon Systems is a Regional Leader & Distributor with value added services for OT, IoT, IIoT & IT Cybersecurity products, Solutions & professional services throughout the middle-east region.