Assistance is Available for Microsoft Cloud Users to Prepare for new Data Protection Rules in Europe

On May 25th, 2018 the European Union will begin enforcing new rules for personal data protection.

These rules, known as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), apply to personal data no matter where it is sent, processed, or stored.

According to Microsoft's Chief Privacy Officer, Brendon Lynch, preparing for these new regulations will not be an easy task.

"While Microsoft is committed to helping you successfully comply with the GDPR, it is important to recognize that compliance is a shared responsibility. New requirements – like greater data access and deletion rules, risk assessment procedures, a Data Protection Officer role for many organizations and data breach notification processes – will mean changes for your organization. When it comes to GDPR compliance, it’s not just European organizations that are affected, but also those outside of the EU who process data in connection with the offering of goods and services to, or monitoring the behavior of, EU residents. As such, it’s important to understand your obligations related to GDPR regardless of where your organization resides."

Lynch states that Microsoft will be GDPR compliant across all of the companies cloud services when that enforcement begins next year.

Those efforts will come across in three key areas:

Failure to be ready for GDPR by the compliance deadline in May 2018 could result in fines of 20 million Euros ($21.2 million USD) or higher.

Microsoft has established a dedicated GDPR page at their Microsoft Trust Center to help you understand the role Microsoft's cloud services can play in helping you prepare for these new regulations.

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