General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

LOCATION

European Union

industry

Requirements

Achieve Compliance Confidence

Understanding GDPR: Privacy Principles, Accountability, and Enforcement

GDPR is not a checkbox regulation—it’s a data protection framework rooted in individual rights, risk management, and transparency. Any organization processing EU personal data must understand how to operationalize its seven core principles.

Compliance involves lawful processing, clear privacy notices, valid consent, rigorous access controls, breach readiness, and documented accountability measures such as DPIAs and RoPAs.

It also requires ongoing training, vendor oversight, and the ability to demonstrate compliance under audit or regulatory scrutiny. Forgepath helps organizations embed privacy into daily operations—from data mapping and risk assessments to breach response plans and policy frameworks—so they can reduce risk and build customer trust under GDPR.

Be Informed

GDPR Compliance At a Glance

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is an EU law that governs how organizations collect, use, store, and protect personal data of individuals in the European Economic Area (EEA).

Requirements

Lawful Basis for Processing

Organizations must establish and document a legal justification for collecting and processing personal data.

Data Subject Rights

Individuals have the right to access, correct, delete, restrict, or port their data, and to object to its processing.

Data Minimization & Purpose Limitation

Only necessary data should be collected, and it must be used solely for specified, explicit, and legitimate purposes.

Accountability & Governance

Organizations must demonstrate GDPR compliance through documentation, policies, Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs), and audits.

Security of Processing

Appropriate technical and organizational measures must protect personal data from unauthorized access, alteration, or loss.

Data Breach Notification

In most cases, data breaches must be reported to authorities within 72 hours and communicated to affected individuals if there's a high risk.

International Data Transfers

Transfers of personal data outside the EU/EEA require appropriate safeguards, such as Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) or adequacy decisions.

How Forgepath Can Help

Virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO)

Get access to GDPR advisory services, documentation reviews, and compliance oversight without hiring a full-time CISO.

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Third-Party Risk Management

Evaluate vendor compliance, manage SCCs, and monitor cross-border data transfer risks.

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Policy & Procedure Development

Create GDPR-aligned privacy notices, consent policies, data subject rights procedures, and breach response plans.

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Jeromy Labit

Director, Cloud Systems & Security
ZERO

Working With ForgePath

Forgepath delivered outstanding service on our network and app security tests.
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Jeromy Labit
Director, Cloud Systems & Security
ZERO

Forgepath delivered outstanding service on both our network penetration test and application security assessment.

When a critical customer need arose, they quickly adjusted their schedule to meet our urgent timeline without compromising quality. Their technical expertise, clear guidance, and hands-on remediation support helped us meet our EOY goals efficiently.

We were especially impressed by their flexibility, responsiveness, and professionalism throughout the process.

H.T. Gordon

Chief Executive Officer
Parsysco

Working With ForgePath

Forgepath separates themselves from the rest as they’re a true security partner.
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H.T. Gordon
Chief Executive Officer
Parsysco

Forgepath separates themselves from the rest as they’re a true security partner to Parsysco. They took the time to understand our requirements and how things were working with our previous provider. We were impressed by how quickly they formulated a new strategy and approach. They helped us identify our challenges and consistently brought forward solutions that were in Parsysco’s best interest.

Most vendors only care about selling something, Forgepath took the personal relationship and partnership approach that we value greatly.

Ready to Get Started?

Build Your Compliant Privacy Program

Forgepath supports your GDPR journey with privacy-by-design, breach readiness, and ongoing compliance operations.

Talk to an Expert

FAQ

Have Questions About GDPR?

GDPR applies to any organization that collects or processes personal data of individuals in the EU/EEA, regardless of where the organization is located.

Personal data includes any information relating to an identified or identifiable person—such as names, emails, IP addresses, behavioral data, or online identifiers.

A DPO is required for public authorities and organizations conducting large-scale monitoring or processing of sensitive data. Others may appoint a vDPO.

Most breaches must be reported to the supervisory authority within 72 hours. If high risk to individuals is likely, they must also be informed without undue delay.

Organizations can be fined up to €20 million or 4% of annual global revenue—whichever is higher—for serious violations.

Yes. We help U.S., Canadian, and other non-EU organizations align their operations with GDPR to support lawful EU data processing and cross-border transfers.