We know compliance can be complicated, and with a patchwork of data privacy laws, there’s much to keep track of in the United States. The California Consumer Privacy Act, or CCPA, officially went into effect on January 1, 2020, with enforcement beginning in July following a six-month grace period.

The CCPA is made up of several regulations and guidelines to help protect the personal data of California citizens. Noncompliance could result in hefty fines of up to $2500 per violation to $7500 per intentional violation.

The CCPA provides consumers with the following privacy rights and protection: the right to know, the right to delete, the right to opt out, the right to non-discrimination, and the right to notice at collection.

So, what steps do you need to take to be CCPA compliant?

1. Determine If CCPA Applies To You

First and foremost, you’ll need to determine whether or not the CCPA applies to your organization. The CCPA applies mainly to companies that collect, buy or sell large amounts of personal data and information from consumers.

However, some companies have chosen to follow CCPA regulations even if the law doesn’t apply directly to them, which can help boost credibility.

2. Add An Opt-Out Option On Your Website

After determining whether the CCPA applies to your business, you’ll need to add an opt-out option on your website and update your privacy policy. The CCPA requires companies to notify customers if their data is being collected and sold.

Thus, this is a crucial part of the regulation. Customers have the right to opt out of sharing or selling their data, and you need to make that readily available to them on your website. Make sure that the information is accessible on every page of your website. Also, make sure your privacy policy is accessible on your website.

3. Third-Party Contacts

 Review contracts with third parties to determine anything that might need to change regarding privacy within your relationship with them and how you handle data. Outline your third party’s responsibilities for handling data that should be included within these contracts.

You can also request privacy policies from your third-party organizations to understand how they handle data, what they do with it, and how they treat it.

4. Audit Service Provider Access

Audit the service providers you work with who have access to your customer’s data. It can be things like consultants that you may use, such as marketing consultants, SEO consultants, and legal advice.

Make sure that these organizations understand their responsibilities under CCPA and how they need to handle that data.

5. Implement A Disaster Response Plan

Implement a disaster response plan and stay educated on data privacy laws. You’ll need to know how your business will respond in the event of a data breach, and it’s crucial to ensure the employees are trained on data privacy requirements.

CCPA is a game changer for cyber security and privacy. It gives consumers the right to know what data they have to know that is protected and opt out of the sale of that data.   

Rogue Logics provides in-depth security services for the assessment and protection of your application, data, and infrastructure against potential threats on-prem or in the cloud. Want a consultation with the professionals at Rogue Logics? Contact us and get a free quote.