Bill 25: What Quebec SMEs need to know
Bill 25 modernizes the rules surrounding the protection of personal information in Quebec. All organizations that collect, use, or store personal data must implement measures to protect this information and demonstrate their compliance.
Beyond the legal obligation, compliance with Law 25 is an opportunity to strengthen customer trust, reduce the risks associated with cyber incidents, and improve your data governance.
The main elements of Law 25
The main elements of Law 25
Person responsible for the protection of personal information
Each organization must designate a person responsible for the protection of personal information.
Consent
Personal information must be collected with clear, free and informed consent.
Data protection
Appropriate security measures must be put in place to protect information against loss, theft, or unauthorized access.
Incident Management
Every organization must be able to detect, document, and manage confidentiality incidents.
Confidentiality by design
New systems, applications and projects must integrate the protection of personal information from their design stage.
Citizens' rights
Individuals can request access to their personal information, its correction or, in certain situations, its deletion.
Some figures to know
Cyberattacks now target SMEs as much as large companies.
A large proportion of security incidents involve a human factor.
The costs of a breach of confidentiality can far exceed the costs of prevention.
Companies that implement clear data governance reduce their legal and operational risks.
Tips for successfully implementing Bill 25
✓ Identify the personal information held by the company.
✓ Appoint a data protection officer.
✓ Document the processes of data collection, use and storage.
✓ Train employees on best practices.
✓ Implement security policies and an incident management plan.
✓ Review the suppliers who process personal information.
✓ Conduct periodic audits to maintain compliance.
Compliance is an ongoing process
Law 25 is not just about producing documents. It requires ongoing governance, risk management, and continuous improvement of practices.
At SECTION Consulting, we help SMEs integrate compliance into their business strategy through a pragmatic approach that reduces risks while supporting their digital transformation.