Introduction
In the digital age, data privacy is a critical issue for every organization in Israel. The Privacy Protection Regulations (2017) govern the collection, processing, storage, and sharing of personal data while strengthening the protection of citizens' privacy. Amendment 13 to the Privacy Protection Law, set to take effect in October 2025, tightens oversight and enforcement, adding new obligations for database owners.
How can organizations prepare for these changes and ensure compliance with the evolving regulations? This article outlines the key obligations, challenges, and necessary steps for regulatory adaptation.
Privacy Protection Regulations – Key Organizational Obligations
The Privacy Protection Regulations require organizations managing databases to implement measures that ensure secure and transparent data processing. Amendment 13 reinforces the obligation for supervision, personal responsibility, and sanctions for violations.
Key Obligations for Database Holders::
✔ Maintaining information security – Use of advanced protection and encryption technologies to prevent information leaks. ✔ Access permission management – Set permissions as needed and prevent unauthorized access to information. ✔ Transparency towards data subjects – Obligation to inform individuals about the purposes of using data. ✔ Reporting information security incidents – It is mandatory to report to the Privacy Protection Authority and to the victims within 72 hours in the event of a serious incident. ✔ The principle of minimalism – Collecting only the data necessary for a defined purpose. ✔ Internal and external supervision – Conducting periodic risk surveys and monitoring external parties that process data.
Key Challenges in Complying with the Privacy Protection Regulations
🔹 Managing permissions and data access – Accessibility permissions should be defined according to the "need to know" principle. 🔹 Safeguarding and securing sensitive information – Integrate encryption, access monitoring, and security controls to prevent information leaks. 🔹 Security breach reporting – Documenting events and activating a rapid response procedure for information leaks. 🔹 Obtaining informed consent from users – Information processing will only be carried out with the consent of the data subjects and with full transparency.
How to Align Your Organization with the Privacy Protection Regulations and Amendment 13?
- Performing data mapping (Data Mapping & Classification)
📊 Understanding the data lifecycle – Where is the information collected from, how is it stored, and who is authorized to use it? 🔍 Data classification – Separating sensitive information from non-sensitive information and applying an appropriate privacy policy.
- Appointment of a privacy officer in the organization (DPO – Data Protection Officer)
👤 Amendment 13 requires the appointment of a privacy officer in large organizations or those with sensitive databases.
- Strengthening security and information protection measures
🔐 Implementing encryption and system hardening – Secure data in transit and at rest to prevent unauthorized access. 🛡 Use of-SIEM To monitor unusual events – Real-time threat identification and investigation.
- Privacy and Accessibility Policy Update
📜 Accessible and clear privacy policy – Details of how the information is collected, stored and processed. ✅ Explicit consent mechanisms (Opt-in) – Require active user consent.
- Establishing recovery mechanisms and managing cyber incidents
📢 Data Breach Response Plan – A clear procedure for identifying, reporting, and fixing security breaches. ♻️ Backups and fast recovery – Maintaining encrypted backups and performing periodic recovery tests.
The business benefits of complying with the Privacy Shield and Amendment 13 regulations
✔ Increasing user trust – Transparency and data protection create a positive image. ✔ Avoiding fines and sanctions – Amendment 13 increases the fines for failure to comply with the law. ✔ Improving information security systems – Strengthening the protection of information assets against cyber threats.
Summary: Compliance with privacy regulations as business competitiveness
✔ Mapping and managing personal information responsibly ✔ Implementation of advanced security measures and encryption ✔ Transparency and privacy management with customers ✔ Managing access and restricting permissions for sensitive information ✔ Security breach response planning and preparedness
Proper implementation of the Privacy Protection Regulations and Amendment 13 will allow organizations to reduce legal risks, improve their defenses, and build a relationship based on trust with their customers.
✍ Article author: Idan Tzabari, information security and strategy consultant IT