When developing web services or software, it is customary to use real production data in testing. What is new is that going forward, GDPR requires specific attention to this practice. So learn the best practices for GDPR compliant.
2. Test data management is the part in the companies that has been overlooked by the companies in order to
meet the upcoming regulations and needs.
We all knows that the GDPR deadline is 25th may 2018 and the companies only left with two months to obey
the rules of EU data protection. Every business needs to follow these rules, does not matter whether the
company deals with customer data personally or through indirect communications, GDPR is applicable in all
the circumstances.
Test data management is a part that requires GDPR attention. However essential in bringing effectiveness to
data procedure and testing the excellence of deliverables, Test data management is open to vulnerabilities
around regulatory and companies’ standards, principally as present compliances are not as strict as GDPR.
Company’s needs to make sure that the consumer data always protected when production data is normally
being copied to non-production environment for testing. GDPR is all set to have complete implications for
the kind of data which can be used in non-production environments and companies must identify the nature
of the data, who is dealing with this data and must be capable to stop its use for only those tasks that are
allowed.
3. GDPR and Testing
By following the new rules of GDPR we cannot
copy the production data as is. If production is
located for software testing, then testing
managers need to use illegal techniques,
applying to all personal identifiable information,
and this process must be irreversible.
This process needs good documentation and
expertise in testing, data models, and adequate
test data profiling. As GDPR stresses the need to
safeguard data that gets transferred to countries
outside the EU, organisations must ensure a
purge mechanism to erase any requested data.
4. Main points to consider for test data & testing are
GDPR compliant
• Precise and proper documentation of private data
information in wholly testing environments
• Real data detection to recognize and extract sensitive
data information
• Executing the TDM procedure for the complete data life
cycle that comprises profiling, sub setting, masking,
provisioning and archiving data in test environments
• Confirming an irretrievable “on-the-fly” data masking
procedure on production data to a central source
• Approval and alerts in place for data transfers and access
outside the region, as this is restricted
5. Practices To Make Sure Your Data Is GDPR
Compliant
1. Awareness Throughout The Organisation:
The very first point that needs to consider is becoming GDPR
compliant. And be aware that EU data-handling corporations must be
GDPR compliant by May 25, 2018. With a composite and time-
consuming procedure ahead, to make sure every part of data is
protected in the accurate way, now is the time to address the
procedure. GDPR Compliance includes data security, IT & cyber-
security protection, and reformation business procedures to be GDPR
compliant.
6. 2. Make your GDPR strategy Effective:
In this case the very first step is to form a strong team that
handles GDPR solutions and issues. Complete masking rules
are necessary to follow regulations of compliance.
After masking, the next is to devise a strategy on how to
handle both production and masked data according to your
testing needs.
The main objective here is to reduce dependencies on masked
production data over the next few years.
7. 3. GDPR for people, process & technology:
Preferably, TDM must have a devoted GDPR team to know
and tackle tasks caused during the complete data life cycle –
through profiling, subset, masking, provisioning, and building
repositories of data.
Thru strict data version controls & a centralized data
permission for relevant test data stakeholders, the team
must be capable to accept a better framework.
8. GDPR compliance should be an ongoing process and
not one-time solution. Any new process, automation or
compliances should support both existing business as
usual processes and new challenges.