GDPR, Data Privacy, and The Role of Security Awareness Training

In 2016, the EU introduced the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) to replace the outdated 1995 Data Protection Directive. The GDPR is now recognized as law across the EU, with member states required to implement it by May 2018. GDPR has quickly become a global benchmark, and many state governments in the U.S. have adopted similar legislation.

GDPR in the United States

Here’s a brief timeline highlighting significant milestones:

• 2018: California enacted the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), which took effect on January 1, 2020. The CCPA provides California residents with the rights to access, delete, and opt out of the sale of their personal information.
• 2020: The Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act (CDPA) is passed, effective on January 1, 2023. It introduces similar rights as the CCPA and establishes accountability for businesses regarding consumer data.
• 2021: The Colorado Privacy Act (CPA) is signed into law, taking effect on July 1, 2023. Like the CCPA and CDPA, the CPA grants residents specific rights over their data.
• 2022: The Connecticut Data Privacy Act (CTDPA) is passed, going into effect on July 1, 2023, further expanding privacy rights in the U.S.
• 2023: Utah enacted the Utah Consumer Privacy Act (UCPA), which took effect on December 31, 2023, offering residents rights similar to those in California and Virginia.
• 2024: New laws in Montana, Florida, Texas, Oregon, and Delaware (amongst other states) have also come into effect.

The Future of GDPR Regulations in America

With public demand for data privacy increasing, it’s highly likely that more U.S. states will adopt GDPR-like regulations in the near future. States that have not yet enacted comprehensive privacy laws but have narrower consumer privacy laws in effect include Maine, Michigan, Nevada, New York, Vermont, and Washington. As of 2023, the public is increasingly expressing concern about what companies are doing with their data. Approximately 67% of people say they understand little to nothing about how companies are using their personal data.

How Do These Laws Affect Businesses?

The adoption of GDPR-like laws in the U.S. has significant implications for businesses. These laws affect any company that collects, processes, or stores personal data of residents in these states.This includes large corporations, small businesses, and even non-profits.

Due to ongoing efforts to address data privacy concerns and enforce regulations to protect consumer information, there has been an increase in violations of these laws. Some notable cases include:

• Google Chrome Privacy Settlement (2024): Google agreed to purge billions of records containing personal information collected from over 136 million users who used the Chrome browser in “Incognito” mode. This settlement came after a lawsuit accused Google of illegal surveillance.
• TikTok Data Privacy Settlement (2021): TikTok agreed to pay $92 million to settle a class-action lawsuit alleging that it collected and shared users’ personal data without consent, including biometric data, in violation of various state and federal laws.

The Role of Security Awareness Training

In response to these new laws, companies are adopting various strategies to ensure compliance. One of these strategies involves implementing privacy training into their security awareness programs.

This training is designed to help employees comprehend the significance of data privacy and to handle personal data responsibly. Adaptive’s training programs are specifically tailored to equip employees with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively navigate the intricacies of data privacy regulations. By doing so, they can minimize the risk of non-compliance and potential fines. Adaptive’s training covers essential topics such as CCPA, GDPR, and other pertinent data privacy regulations.

Additionally, the core content of Adaptive’s programs cover a variety of topics such as:

• AI Threats: Leverage custom company deepfakes and quick interactive exercises on safe AI tool use.
• Security Foundations: Easily enroll employees in bite-sized modules on required security topics.
• Boosting Productivity: Teach employees how to use the latest AI tools with Adaptive productivity training.

Why Adaptive?

At Adaptive, we harness modern technology to develop personalized security training for our valued clients. Our platform is designed to meet your company's unique needs, utilizing tailored executive videos, employee intelligence, and an enterprise content engine to create customized experiences. Accessible on mobile devices, our platform allows employees to engage from anywhere. It also streamlines enrollment and sends timely reminders through both Slack and email. With our enterprise-grade customization engine, you can easily adapt the software to your specifications. Plus, our background training requires minimal intervention from your team, freeing up your security resources to focus on your top priorities.

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Get a demo to review our best-in-class data protection and privacy training today!

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