In the events industry, data security is of utmost importance. With the vast amounts of personal data being processed, you can't take risks when it comes to software choice. But how do you ensure that the software meets your privacy requirements? This article guides you through various concepts to consider when researching new software. Consider your data security needs and use the insights from this article to make the right choice.
The relevance of GDPR
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a set of rules designed to ensure the privacy and protection of personal data of individuals within the EU. For event professionals, this means that any software you use must comply with stringent guidelines to ensure data protection. Examples include:
- Data minimisation: Only the necessary data of participants may be collected. This means carefully considering the information you request during the registration process.
- Consent: Clear and explicit consent must be obtained from participants for the collection and use of their data. Participants should also be able to easily withdraw their consent.
Failure to comply with the GDPR can lead to significant fines and reputational damage. Therefore, it is important to choose software that is fully compliant with these regulations. This reassures your participants that their data is safe.
Importance of ISO 27001 certification
Besides GDPR compliance, ISO 27001 is an international standard for information security. This certification demonstrates that the supplier has implemented robust processes to protect data against threats. For event professionals, this provides an additional layer of assurance.
Certification: what to look for?
While ISO 27001 is a good starting point, you can also check when the certificate was awarded to the supplier. ISO 27001:2022 is a more recent version of the ISO 27001 certification. This shows that the supplier is committed not only to continuous improvements but also to staying up-to-date with the latest security protocols.
Other steps to evaluate software security
In addition to ISO certification and GDPR compliance, there are other steps a supplier can take to enhance data security. Here are some positive signals to look for:
- Data hosting: Check where the data is hosted (for example, in the US or the EU). You might prefer hosting in the EU due to stricter data protection regulations.
- Single Sign-On (SSO): Are Single Sign-On (SSO) options provided? This improves security and user-friendliness.
- Logging and monitoring: Is there extensive logging and monitoring of access attempts and data changes? Are additional monitoring tools used to quickly detect suspicious activities?
- Data anonymisation: Are sensitive data anonymised or pseudonymised where possible? This helps protect personal information.
- External security audits: Are regular external security audits carried out? Are the results used by the supplier to continuously make improvements?
Data Security Checklist for Event Professionals
A checklist can greatly help in ensuring that your new software choice meets your security requirements. This data security checklist is specifically developed for Event professionals and their IT colleagues in larger organisations that often deal with sensitive personal information from their visitors and participants. In a well-crafted checklist, you might find questions such as: Are secure networks and firewalls used? Or: Is there a clear incident response plan? These are points you really want to know about your supplier.
Do you want to ensure that the software you choose meets your security requirements and protects the privacy of your participants? Download our comprehensive Data Security Checklist now and ensure optimal security for your events!
Curious about how aanmelder.nl ensures robust security within our event software? Send an email to sales@aanmelder.nl, leave your question or comment, and get in touch with our experts!
