The 12 Days of Christmas Day 6 – No naughty lists here: Keeping your data GDPR-friendly

With Christmas just around the corner and the 6 Days of Techmas countdown in full swing, now is a cracking good moment to get your tech stack in order and keep your data up to scratch. Amidst all the festive meetings, year-end targets, and Christmas party planning (or hangover), it is easy to put data care on the back burner, but do it at your peril. Giving your data a quick once-over can save you a world of stress in the long run. It is that simple: taking a bit of care now means you can start the new year feeling calm and in control. 

December is a mad time of year, and it is all too easy to let data care take a back seat. But GDPR is not something you can push to one side. A minor mistake in how you collect, store, or use data can bring trouble, and nobody wants that on their hands this time of year. But here is the good news: keeping your data in order does not have to be a chore. Getting into a few simple habits can make all the difference, maintaining trust high and risk low. 

 Get a handle on what you are holding. 

Start by getting a clear picture of the data you have and where it sits. Loads of businesses leave more data lying around than they actually need (without even realising it). A quick review often uncovers old lists, unused fields or data sources that have gone haywire. Clearing out what you no longer need is not just a good idea, it is a risk-reducer, too – and it will also make it a doddle to deal with requests to delete stuff or hand it over to people who want it. 

 Get consent right from the start. 

Consent is key under GDPR – so make sure your forms, pop-ups, and landing pages use plain language and make it crystal clear to people for what they are signing up. Be open and honest, keep it simple and make it easy for people to change their mind or update their settings. When people feel in charge, trust increases very quickly. 

 Share with a clear conscience. 

Loads of teams rely on external tools for a load of different things (email, ads, support, events…), and that is perfectly fine, as long as you do your due diligence on how each one handles data. Look for clear data standards, top-notch security measures, and strong privacy policies. When you hand data over to a partner, make sure you have the right agreements in place from the start. It is much easier to check now than to try to fix the gaps later. 

 Keep your staff in the know. 

It is incredible how often data slips happen because someone is not sure what to do. Quick training sessions throughout the year can help your staff get into good habits: cover the basics like safe storage, strong passwords and spotting dodgy requests. When everyone knows what to do, you lower the risk of mistakes. 

 Prepare for a worst-case scenario. 

Even when you are doing everything right, things can still go wrong. Having a simple plan in place can help you move fast if you spot a breach. Set out clear steps for alerting the right people, fixing the issue, and keeping everyone in the loop. A calm, quick response can really limit the damage and the stress. 

 So, as you get stuck into the 6 Days of Techmas, take a moment to tidy up your data act. Building good habits now will keep your brand off any naughty lists – honest!