GDPR Checklist for VSEs/SMEs: The Essential Steps to Be Compliant in 2025

THE General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) requires businesses of all sizes to comply with strict rules regarding the management and protection of personal data. For Small and medium-sized businessesCompliance may seem complex, but it's essential to avoid penalties and build trust with customers. Here's a detailed checklist to ensure compliance in 2025.

Carry out a compliance audit

Before taking any action, it is crucial to assess your company's current GDPR compliance status. To do this:

Identify what personal data you collect (customers, employees, partners).
Determine how they are stored, processed and secured.
Identify the potential risks associated with these treatments.

Appoint a GDPR contact person

SMEs are not always required to designate a Data Protection Officer (DPO), unless they process sensitive data on a large scale. If not:

Designate an internal manager in charge of compliance.
Train him on GDPR obligations and data protection best practices.

Implement a clear privacy policy

A website or company collecting data must inform users of its use:

Write a Privacy Policy simple, accessible and transparent.
Indicate the purposes of data processing.
Inform users of their rights (access, rectification, deletion).

Obtain explicit consent from users

Consent must be free, enlightened and explicit :

Add checkboxes for consent (not pre-checked boxes).
Provide an easy option to withdraw consent at any time.
Keep proof of consent obtained.

Secure personal data

Data security is a fundamental pillar of the GDPR:

Set up a encryption of sensitive data.
Limit access to data to authorized persons only.
Perform regular updates to your cybersecurity software and tools.

Establish a register of treatments

A data processing register is mandatory for companies handling personal data:

Describe the types of data collected and their purpose.
Indicate the data retention period.
Note the security measures in place.

Manage user rights

Individuals have rights over their personal data, and your business must be able to respond to requests:

Establish a procedure for requests to access, rectify or delete data.
Make sure you respond in a maximum period of 30 days.

Provide a procedure in the event of a data breach

In the event of a leak or computer attack, you must act quickly:

Notify the CNIL (or the competent authority) within 72 hours if necessary.
Inform the persons concerned in the event of a high risk to their rights and freedoms.
Implement fixes to prevent this from happening again.

Comply with the GDPR in 2025 is a key issue for VSEs and SMEs. By following this checklist, you reduce risks, protect your customer data, and strengthen your credibility. To go further, consider support from the platform Viqtor® data protection expert.