Reporting a GDPR Breach: Who to Inform and How

As a data controller or processor, it's essential to know who to report a breach of GDPR to. In this article, we'll guide you through the process of reporting a GDPR breach, including who to inform and how to do it.

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a set of rules designed to protect the personal data of individuals within the European Union (EU). If a breach occurs, it's crucial to report it to the relevant authorities to ensure compliance with the regulation.

In this article, we'll cover:

• Who to report a GDPR breach to
• How to report a GDPR breach
• What to include in a GDPR breach report
• What happens after reporting a GDPR breach

Who to Report a GDPR Breach To

According to Article 33 of the GDPR, data controllers and processors must report a breach to the relevant supervisory authority within 72 hours of becoming aware of the breach. The supervisory authority is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the GDPR and ensuring compliance with the regulation.

In the EU, there are 28 supervisory authorities, one for each member state. You can find the contact information for your local supervisory authority on the European Data Protection Board's website.

How to Report a GDPR Breach

When reporting a GDPR breach, you'll need to provide the supervisory authority with the following information:

• A description of the breach, including the nature and extent of the breach
• The categories and approximate number of individuals affected by the breach
• The likely consequences of the breach
• The measures taken to address the breach
• The measures taken to prevent future breaches

What to Include in a GDPR Breach Report

When reporting a GDPR breach, you'll need to provide the supervisory authority with a detailed report that includes the following information:

• A description of the breach, including the nature and extent of the breach
• The categories and approximate number of individuals affected by the breach
• The likely consequences of the breach
• The measures taken to address the breach
• The measures taken to prevent future breaches

What Happens After Reporting a GDPR Breach

After reporting a GDPR breach, the supervisory authority will investigate the breach and take appropriate action. This may include:

• Notifying the individuals affected by the breach
• Imposing fines or penalties on the data controller or processor
• Requiring the data controller or processor to take corrective action

Conclusion

Reporting a GDPR breach is a critical step in ensuring compliance with the regulation. By following the guidelines outlined in this article, you can ensure that you're reporting a breach correctly and minimizing the risk of penalties or fines.