{"id":2132,"date":"2023-08-24T09:15:25","date_gmt":"2023-08-24T07:15:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.d-velop.com\/blog\/?p=2132"},"modified":"2025-09-18T14:43:25","modified_gmt":"2025-09-18T12:43:25","slug":"sap-compliance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.d-velop.com\/blog\/compliance\/sap-compliance\/","title":{"rendered":"SAP Compliance – How to Safely Store Your Personal Data within Legal Guidelines"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
In recent years, the flow of digital data has seen a remarkable surge. Our online presence has expanded beyond private matters, as businesses embrace digitization, leading to an abundance of personal digital data. To address this, the European Union implemented the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in 2018. Learn more about GDPR, its implications for SAP compliance, and how it could affect your company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>What is SAP Compliance?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In the context of SAP, compliance means strictly adhering to legal regulations and internal company guidelines. Achieving compliance involves conducting a precise and clear analysis of the internal processes within SAP. When referring to legal regulations, the focus primarily lies on the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), also known as the DSGVO.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>DSGVO as a basis for SAP compliance<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a European Union regulation that oversees the processing of personal data. Its primary objective is to ensure robust protection for this data and to promote the unrestricted movement of data within the European single market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In accordance with Art. 4 No. 1 of the GDPR, \u201c\u2026 personal data refers to any information that relates to an identified or identifiable natural person \u2026\u201d. An identifiable person is someone who can be recognized using details like their name, location data, online identifier, or specific characteristics reflecting their physical, physiological, genetic, mental, economic, cultural, or social identity. It’s essential to note that data related to companies or legal entities, like limited liability companies, is not considered personal data unless it contains information pertaining to individuals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The GDPR primarily focuses on specific regulations regarding the deletion, blocking, and storage of personal data. Notably, it outlines nine fundamental principles that govern the storage of such data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Principles for the storage of personal data<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
1. Legality<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
In essence, this implies that every handling of personal data must be carried out in strict compliance with the lawful provisions outlined in the GDPR.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. In good faith<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
This principle is assessed on a case-by-case basis. In general, it signifies that data processing should be conducted in a truthful and respectable manner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. Transparency<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Under Art. 15 et seq. of the GDPR, data subjects are granted the right to exercise informational self-determination. This allows them to request confirmation from the data controller regarding the processing of their personal data and gain insights into the specific processing purposes, intended data storage duration, and other relevant details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4. Earmarking<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Personal data should only be collected for transparent and lawful purposes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
5. Data Minimization<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
The collection of data should be restricted to the intended purpose and necessary processing, taking into account the volume of data involved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
6. Correctness<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Personal data must be factually accurate and, when required, kept up to date. In case of any erroneous data, appropriate measures should be promptly taken to rectify the issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
7. Memory limitation<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
In accordance with the storage limitation principle, personal data should be retained in a way that allows for identifying data subjects only for the duration necessary to fulfill the purposes for which the data were processed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
8. Integrity and Confidentiality<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Personal data should be processed and stored with the utmost security, preventing unauthorized access, unlawful processing, accidental loss, destruction, or damage to the data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
9. Accountability<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
The data controller holds the responsibility for adhering to data protection principles. To comply with the GDPR, the controller must be able to demonstrate their compliance. This is achieved by preparing relevant documentation to meet data protection requirements, which may include a directory of processing activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
High Fines for Violations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The GDPR regulations can appear extensive and initially complex, yet the consequences of non-compliance are significant. According to Art. 83 (5) (a) of the GDPR, violations can lead to fines of up to \u20ac20 million or, for companies, up to 4% of their total worldwide annual turnover from the preceding fiscal year\u2014whichever amount is higher. Given the high stakes involved, dedicating time and effort to SAP compliance is undeniably worthwhile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span> Managing SAP Compliance with SAP’s ILM Module<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Originally designed to manage the lifecycle of quality management information, the SAP module ILM (Information Lifecycle Management) now plays a crucial role in GDPR implementation. This module facilitates data archiving, retention management, and data flow control. By employing deletion and blocking rules, personal data can be appropriately managed, including blocking, archiving, and deletion as needed. The goal is to optimize data flows, streamline IT system expenses, and mitigate legal compliance risks associated with specific data collection processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span> The d.velop SAP Compliance Solution<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"SAP](\"https:\/\/www.d-velop.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/SAP-Applications-ILM.jpg\")