Data protection and ISMS for SMEs

In today’s data-driven, digitally networked world, protecting sensitive information is a top priority. In order to meet this challenge in practice, companies are forced to reconcile information security and data protection.

More and more companies are introducing an information security management system (ISMS) and supplementing it with special measures for data protection. In this way, they protect all data – regardless of whether it is personal or not.

Practical relevance

Data protection is there to ensure that companies handle all personal data – be it customer data, employee dossiers or others – carefully and in accordance with regulations. The ISMS, on the other hand, is used to manage data security within the company. It prevents unauthorised persons from accessing sensitive data or data from being lost or unintentionally changed. Two different areas, but they complement each other perfectly.

If both are not implemented well, it can be really expensive, as the incidents at heavyweights such as Amazon, British Airways, Marriott and Meta/Facebook show. In all cases, the consequences were enormous fines and damage to their image. And they could have been avoided with an appropriate combination of ISMS and data protection.

From the authorities’ point of view, this is a clear lack of the technical and organisational measures required by law. This is precisely why companies need such management systems – whether they are large corporations or small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This is the only way they can fulfil the requirements.

Regulatory pressure on companies is increasing all the time

Stricter legal framework

Since September 2023, Swiss companies have had to comply with significantly stricter data protection rules – stipulated by the new Data Protection Act (nDSG). And the EU has been a significant step ahead since 2018: the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) imposes similarly strict requirements in terms of technical and organisational security measures.

The regulatory pressure on companies is therefore becoming ever greater. This is why small and medium-sized companies in particular need to arm themselves now and set up solid systems for information security and data protection. Otherwise it can become really expensive.

Overcoming hurdles for SMEs

For many SMEs, the professional implementation of all requirements is a major challenge. There is often a lack of resources, expertise and the necessary overview of all legal and regulatory requirements. An efficient solution is the key here.

Priverion, a Swiss company based in Zurich, offers you an innovative SaaS solution suitable for SMEs. A platform for efficient implementation of data protection and ISMS requirements as well as for continuous risk analyses and identification of improvement potential.

Priverion’s solution includes digital questionnaires, automated analyses and out-of-the-box expertise, eliminating many manual processes.

The platform offers helpful functions with the support of artificial intelligence that make it easier for SMEs in particular to get started:

• Data processing register / register of processing activities (VVT)
• Cross-company sharing and standardisation
• Supplier assessments
• Libraries with ready-made guidelines, deadlines etc. as templates
• Data protection impact assessments (DPIA)
• Risk-based approach for efficient prioritisation of measures
• Documentation of legal bases and legitimate interests
• Support of international norms and standards (ISO 27001, TISAX, NIST etc.)
• Connection to Azure Active Directory for simple employee access

Added value for SMEs

• SMEs can realise many benefits by using such a tool:
• Mastering regulatory requirements with manageable effort
• Gradual achievement of full compliance
• Transparency through integrated documentation and reports
• Cost-efficient integration into existing processes

Conclusion

Data protection and data security as well as the need for a corresponding management system such as an ISMS have become massively more important as a result of new legislation.

Security gaps and data breaches can only really be avoided if the two areas of “information security” and “data protection” work together. This combination is the key to seamless protection of company information. In the networked digital world, data security is vital for the survival of every company.

With innovative, automated tools such as Priverion, SMEs can tackle these complex issues efficiently and avoid high fines and reputational damage.

Learn more about Priverion