How to Secure Your Fortra for GDPR and Get the Compliance Seal

 

If you use Fortra (formerly HelpSystems) in your organization and handle EU personal data, it's essential to make your Fortra environment GDPR compliant. But what does it mean to secure Fortra for GDPR, and how can you get the official GDPR badge or compliance seal?

• Understand GDPR and Fortra's Role: GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) is an EU law about protecting how personal data is used and stored. Fortra products often store, transmit, or process personal data, so configuring them properly is critical.
• Know Your Data - Data Mapping: Start by finding every place where Fortra handles EU personal data in your organization. Make a list of what data is collected, how it's processed, who has access, and where it's stored. This is called data mapping.
• Minimal Permissions - Access Control: Ensure only the right people can access personal data in Fortra. Use Fortra’s inbuilt access controls to assign roles and permissions. Remove unnecessary access promptly. Regularly audit user privileges.
• Encryption - Data Protection: Activate encryption for data stored in Fortra (data at rest) and for data sent from Fortra to other places (data in transit). Fortra products like GoAnywhere MFT support these features—make sure they're turned on and correctly configured.
• Data Minimization and Retention: Only collect the data you truly need in Fortra. Set automated deletion or anonymization rules, so old data is erased as soon as it's no longer needed according to your GDPR policies.
• Audit Logs and Monitoring: Turn on detailed Fortra logging. Store logs securely and review them regularly for unauthorized access or suspicious activity. These logs also show auditors that you’re in control.
• Data Subject Rights: GDPR gives people rights over their data. Make sure you can easily search, export, modify, or delete someone's data if they ask. Fortra should be set up to help fulfill these requests quickly.
• Incident Response: Prepare and test a process for spotting, reporting, and responding to data breaches in Fortra. GDPR requires you to tell authorities within 72 hours if a breach happens.
• Documentation and Policies: Keep good records. Document every data flow, security feature, and policy relating to Fortra. Auditors will check this.
• Training: Train staff who use Fortra about GDPR, data privacy, and security best practices.

 

How to Get the GDPR Badge/Compliance Seal for Fortra

 

You can’t just claim compliance—you need to prove it to external assessors. Here's how to get your How to Secure Your Fortra for GDPR badge/seal:

• Conduct a Readiness Assessment: Hire an experienced GDPR consulting firm such as OCD Tech. They’ll do a full review of your Fortra configuration and data processes to spot gaps and help you fix them before an audit.
• Gap Remediation: If the assessment finds problems, fix them—whether it’s technical misconfigurations, missing documentation, or poor procedures. Often, OCD Tech can assist with this step.
• Undergo a Formal Audit: Engage an authorized certification body. They’ll examine your Fortra setup, paperwork, and security controls against GDPR’s requirements.
• Pass the Audit: If everything is in order, the certification body will issue a GDPR compliance seal or badge, often valid for 1-3 years. This seal proves to partners and clients that your Fortra environment meets GDPR standards.

 

Most Important Things Auditors Check for GDPR with Fortra

 

• How well you control and monitor access to data in Fortra (least privilege, audit logs, etc.)
• Clear, up-to-date documentation of your Fortra data flows and security measures
• Technical security: encryption, patch management, system hardening
• Your ability to honor data subject rights quickly
• Documented breach response and notification procedures
• Regular user/staff training on privacy and security
• That you regularly test, audit, and improve your controls—showing ongoing compliance, not just a one-time fix

 

Summary: Successfully Secure Your Fortra for GDPR Compliance

 

Getting your Fortra GDPR compliant isn’t just IT work—it’s clear policies, strong technology setup, regular training, and good records. If you want to be confident you’re ready for audit and earn the badge, partner with a GDPR specialist like OCD Tech for assessment and advice. This is the most reliable way to get your How to Secure Your Fortra for GDPR badge/seal, protecting both your organization and your clients’ trust.