Components of data protection documentation and a data protection management system

In the era of digital information and in the context of the ever-growing importance of data protection, it is crucial for companies to have a Comprehensive and effective data protection documentation to be implemented. This documentation not only serves to ensure compliance with legal requirements, in particular the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), but is also a central tool for risk management and the protection of personal data. In this article, we take a look at the key elements of such data protection documentation, which form the heart of any data protection management system.

Here you will find an excerpt from the documentation, which usually comprises around 250 pages:

1. List of processing activitiesContains details on the type, purpose, categories of data subjects and data, recipients of the data, transfer to third countries, deletion periods and data security measures.
2. Data protection impact assessment (DPIA)Assessment of data protection risks for processing activities that are likely to result in a high risk to the rights and freedoms of natural persons.
3. Documentation of technical and organizational measures (TOMs)Overview of security measures for the protection of personal data, including measures for data security and data protection by design and by default.
4. Data protection policies and proceduresWritten policies and procedures for data protection, including the handling of personal data and the response to data protection incidents.
5. Recording of data protection incidentsLogs of security incidents involving personal data, including details of the incident, its impact and the measures taken.
6. Contracts and agreements with processorsDocumentation of agreements with service providers who process personal data on our behalf, including ensuring compliance with the GDPR by these third parties.
7. Proof of consentIn the case of consent-based data processing, documentation of the consents given, including information on when and how these consents were given.
8. Training and awareness-raising materialsEvidence of data protection training for employees, as well as information material distributed within the company.
9. Data protection-related correspondenceRetention of all relevant correspondence, including requests from and responses to data subjects, and correspondence with supervisory authorities.
10. Reports and analyses on data protectionPeriodic reports on the status of data protection in the company, including assessments and audits.
11. Data protection manual: A centralized employee handbook containing detailed instructions and guidelines on the processing of personal data. This manual should include information on the principles of data processing, responsibilities within the company, procedures for data processing, handling of data subjects' rights and instructions for reporting data breaches. It serves as a guide for employees to ensure compliance with data protection practices in day-to-day operations.
12. Obligations of employees and other contributors to maintain confidentiality and, where applicable, secrecy: Documentation that records the obligation of employees and all persons who work with personal data in the company to comply with data protection principles and to maintain confidentiality. This includes a written commitment to data secrecy in accordance with the GDPR and, where applicable, compliance with the confidentiality obligations under Section 203 of the German Criminal Code (StGB), particularly when processing sensitive data. The documentation should also include the training and instruction provided in this context to ensure that everyone involved understands the legal requirements and their personal responsibilities.
13. Proof of the security of processing in accordance with Article 32 GDPR: Documentation that shows the measures implemented to ensure the security of data processing, both internally and in conjunction with external service providers (outsourcing). This includes documentation of the implementation of IT baseline protection concepts as well as evidence of basic protection in accordance with IT baseline protection in order to prove that the security of processing corresponds to the state of the art. The documentation should contain details of technical and organizational measures, such as access controls, encryption, security audits, incident management procedures and agreements and controls regarding data security when using service providers. The aim is to provide comprehensive evidence that all necessary steps have been taken to ensure the integrity, confidentiality and availability of personal data.
14. Documentation on the implementation and guarantee of data subject rights in accordance with the GDPR: Comprehensive documentation outlining how the company implements and ensures the rights of data subjects under the GDPR. This includes procedures for responding to data subject requests, such as the right of access, rectification, erasure ("right to be forgotten"), restriction of processing, data portability and objection to processing. The documentation should also include the internal processes and policies that ensure that these requests are processed and fulfilled within the legal deadlines. In addition, training materials and communication materials should be included to help employees understand and correctly implement these rights.