Understand what information exists across your organization and what you need to do with it. Data map

To keep your business compliant with the GDPR regulations, you need to simplify your data retention process. The first step is to inventory and categorize all of your data. Each category has its own unique requirements and data retention laws. This means that you must conduct a thorough research process and implement individualized policies to meet the needs of each category.

Different data types should be kept for different periods. For example, a customer's shipping address will require longer storage than a browsing history. It is also crucial to identify what types of data you need to retain for which purposes. Once you have determined this, you can work towards automating these processes. Manual efforts carry the most risk.

Another step in simplifying your data retention process is educating employees. It is important to make sure that everyone is aware of the policies and procedures for maintaining data. This responsibility typically falls to the data protection officer or data compliance officer. In addition, simplifying your data retention process can make your organization more agile. It also ensures the security of your data and maintains the consumer's trust.

Implementing a data retention policy is a time-consuming process, so start with the easiest aspects first. Quick wins are good for your stakeholders and will keep them motivated during the long implementation process. Keeping your data safe is a matter of good business practice, and a comprehensive data retention policy can improve your business and comply with local and international data retention laws.

Once you've identified what records need to be retained, you can simplify your data retention process even further. Using a dedicated archive software product can help you achieve your goals of long-term data retention. This software product also allows you to store existing data in retention sets, which means you won't need to make extra copies.

As a general rule, you should also have a communication and enforcement plan. Your policy should outline general guidelines, including the length of time your data will be retained, how often you will access it, and how long it will stay on your system. You can also consider the data sensitivity level when you are determining the data retention time for each type of data. For example, if your data is sensitive, it might need to be retained for many years.

Once you've established a data retention policy, you need to determine the best method of archiving your data. Creating a data retention policy should be based on your company's needs, industry requirements, and long-term goals. It will ensure your company adheres to the required regulations and avoid any penalties from the law. By implementing a data retention policy, you'll help keep costs in check while maintaining the integrity of your data.