processing
What It Means
Processing is basically anything you do with personal data - from collecting it, storing it, analyzing it, sharing it, or deleting it. If your business touches personal information in any way, you're 'processing' that data according to privacy laws.
Why Chief AI Officers Care
This broad definition means almost every business activity involving customer, employee, or partner data falls under privacy regulations like GDPR, triggering compliance requirements, consent obligations, and potential penalties for mishandling.
Real-World Example
When your marketing team collects email addresses, your HR system stores employee records, your analytics tool tracks website visitors, or your sales team shares customer contacts - all of these everyday activities count as data processing.
Common Confusion
Many executives think 'processing' only means complex data analysis or automated systems, but it actually includes basic activities like storing customer names in a spreadsheet or emailing client information to a colleague.
Industry-Specific Applications
See how this term applies to healthcare, finance, manufacturing, government, tech, and insurance.
Healthcare: In healthcare, processing encompasses every interaction with patient data - from initial collection during registration,...
Finance: In finance, processing encompasses all handling of customer financial data - from account onboarding and transaction mon...
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Includes:
- 6 industry-specific applications
- Relevant regulations by sector
- Real compliance scenarios
- Implementation guidance
Technical Definitions
NISTNational Institute of Standards and Technology
"‘Processing’ means any operation or set of operations which is performed on personal data or on sets of personal data, whether or not by automated means, such as collection, recording, organisation, structuring, storage, adaptation or alteration, retrieval, consultation, use, disclosure by transmission, dissemination or otherwise making available, alignment or combination, restriction, erasure or destruction."Source: GDPR
"“Processing” means any operation or set of operations that are performed on personal information or on sets of personal information, whether or not by automated means."Source: CCPA
Related Terms
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