GDPRValidator: a tool to enable companies using cloud services to be GDPR compliant.

Area of Science:

• Computer Science
• Information Security
• Business Management

Background:

• Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face challenges in achieving General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) compliance, especially after migrating services to the cloud.
• Limited budgets restrict SMEs' access to legal expertise for navigating complex data protection regulations.
• Ensuring compliance with GDPR is crucial for managing employee and customer data in cloud-based environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present GDPRValidator, a novel tool designed to assist SMEs in achieving GDPR compliance for cloud-based data management.
• To provide SMEs with a cost-effective, self-service solution for understanding and validating GDPR requirements.
• To enhance the competitiveness of SMEs by reducing the financial burden associated with legal consultations for GDPR compliance.

Main Methods:

• Development of GDPRValidator, a tool implementing a structured process for compliance analysis and validation.
• Generation of recommendation documents to guide SMEs through GDPR compliance steps.
• Validation of the tool's efficiency and efficacy through user feedback from two SMEs.

Main Results:

• GDPRValidator demonstrated significant perceived usefulness among participating SMEs.
• The tool was perceived as easy to use by both SMEs involved in the validation study.
• User feedback indicated strong agreement with the tool's effectiveness in aiding GDPR understanding and compliance efforts.

Conclusions:

• GDPRValidator is a valuable resource for SMEs seeking to manage cloud data in compliance with GDPR.
• The tool empowers SMEs to independently initiate and progress their GDPR compliance journey.
• GDPRValidator offers a practical and accessible approach to data protection compliance for budget-conscious businesses.