Cloud computing is an integral part of most businesses globally. Technology has transformed the way businesses operate and thrive in the industry. However, the cloud industry has been facing huge challenges when it comes to complying with various data protection and data privacy standards. With the enforcement of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), a lot has changed for most businesses. The enforcement of GDPR has had significant implications on cloud service providers and their businesses including their implementation of operations and security control mechanisms.

Cloud service providers are now required to understand their obligations towards data protection and privacy to accordingly adapt and amend their services, contracts and processes. With the enforcement of stringent rules under GDPR, it is clear that cloud service providers are acting in the capacity of controllers and processors and cannot avoid their responsibility towards data protection. This idea is worthy of deeper elaboration.

How does GDPR Impact the Cloud Industry?

Nearly five years after the enactment of the regulation, businesses are still struggling to be compliant as per the GDPR regulatory standards. Additionally, for businesses rapidly adopting cloud services, it has become mandatory for both businesses and cloud service providers to adjust their business models. They are required to make significant changes to their business operations in accordance with the regulations. Under Chapter 4 Article 24-43, GDPR clearly mandates rules for Data Controllers and Processors to follow. The regulation highlights the responsibilities, requirements and rules that need to be implemented when dealing with personal data. In order to better understand the implications of GDPR on Data Controllers and Processors as applied to cloud service providers, let us take a closer look at the requirements that are outlined in that section.

GDPR Requirements for Cloud Service Providers

A cloud service provider is considered “in-scope” (Read more...)