Data Protection Policy
HCP FINANCE LIMITED
Data Protection Policy
1. Introduction
HCP Finance Limited needs to gather and use certain information about individuals.
This can include customers, suppliers, business contacts, employees and other people the
organisation has a relationship with or may need to contact.
This policy describes how this personal data must be collected, handled and stored to meet the
company’s data protection standards — and to comply with the law.
2. Why this policy exists
This data protection policy ensures HCP Finance Limited:
• complies with data protection law and follows good practice
• protects the rights of all individuals’ data
• is open about how it stores and processes individuals’ data in line with individuals’ rights
• protects itself from the risks of a data breach
3. Data protection law
The General Data Protection Regulations describe how organisations — including HCP Finance
Limited — must collect, handle and store personal information. These rules apply regardless of
whether data is stored electronically or otherwise.
To comply with the law, personal information must be;
• processed lawfully, fairly and in a transparent manner in relation to individuals;
• collected for specified, explicit and legitimate purposes and not further processed in a
manner that is incompatible with those purposes; further processing for archiving purposes
in the public interest, scientific or historical research purposes or statistical purposes shall
not be considered to be incompatible with the initial purposes;
• adequate, relevant and limited to what is necessary in relation to the purposes for which
they are processed;
• accurate and, where necessary, kept up to date; every reasonable step must be taken to
ensure that personal data that are inaccurate, having regard to the purposes for which they
are processed, are erased or rectified without delay;
• kept in a form which permits identification of data subjects for no longer than is necessary
for the purposes for which the personal data are processed;
• processed in a manner that ensures appropriate security of the personal data, including
protection against unauthorised or unlawful processing and against accidental loss,
destruction or damage, using appropriate technical or organisational measures.
Record Keeping:
A range of information must be detailed in our internal records of processing activities. Such areas
include;
• name and details of the organisation
• include, if appropriate, details of other data controllers, the organisation’s representative
and data protection officer
• purposes of processing the data
• description of the categories of individuals and the categories of personal data
• categories of the recipients of personal data
• details of transfers of data to third parties or abroad, including details of safety mechanisms
• retention schedules
• technical and organisational security measures
HCP Finance Limited ensures that records of these activities are kept and are updated accordingly.
Individuals’ data is kept on file for 6 years in line with the Financial Conduct Authorities record
keeping rules. After which point, personal data is retracted to the point it is unidentifiable and used
for statistical purposes only.
4. Lawful Basis for Processing Data
Under GDPR, it is a requirement that HCP Finance Limited has a valid lawful basis to process
personal data, this should be documented. Most lawful bases require that processing is ‘necessary’.
The lawful bases for processing are set out in Article 6 of the GDPR. At least one of these must apply
whenever HCP Finance Limited processes personal data:
Processing is lawful under GDPR as:
(a) Consent: the individual has given clear consent for you to process their personal data for a
specific purpose.
(b) Contract: the processing is necessary for a contract you have with the individual, or because they
have asked you to take specific steps before entering into a contract.
(c) Legal obligation: the processing is necessary for you to comply with the law (not including
contractual obligations).
(d) Vital interests: the processing is necessary to protect someone’s life.
(e) Public task: the processing is necessary for you to perform a task in the public interest or for your
official functions, and the task or function has a clear basis in law.
(f) Legitimate interests: the processing is necessary for your legitimate interests or the legitimate
interests of a third party unless there is a good reason to protect the individual’s personal data
which overrides those legitimate interests.
HCP Finance Limited has chosen this basis for processing data as it is requested from the individuals
that we capture data before entering into a contract (e.g. provide a quote for finance).
Special categories of data may be captured by HCP Finance Limited, for example, information about
an individual’s:
• race;
• ethnic origin;
• politics;
• religion;
• trade union membership;
• genetics;
• biometrics (where used for ID purposes);
• health;
• sex life; or
• sexual orientation.
You need to identify both a lawful basis for general processing and an additional condition for
processing this type of data.
If you are processing criminal conviction data or data about offences, you need to identify both a
lawful basis for general processing and an additional condition for processing this type of data.
5. Responsibilities
HCP Finance Limited acts as a data Controller and data Processor. All staff are responsible for
ensuring that the highest data standards and best practices are met on a continual basis.
A Data Protection Officer (DPO) has been appointed: Colin Howells. He is accountable and
responsible for compliance with GDPR.
6. Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIA)
HCP Finance Limited has a general obligation to implement technical and organisational measures to
demonstrate that data protection is integrated into our processing activities. A Data Protection
Impact Assessment is conducted each time HCP Finance Limited considers implementing using new
technologies
The DPIA will pertain at least;
• a description of the processing operations and the purposes, including, where applicable,
the legitimate interests pursued by the controller;
• an assessment of the necessity and proportionality of the processing in relation to the
purpose;
• an assessment of the risks to individuals;
• the measures in place to address risk, including security and to demonstrate that you
comply.
7. Individuals Rights
Individuals now have more rights under GDPR, HCP Finance Limited, these are;
• the Right to be Informed
• the Right of Access
• the Right to Rectification
• the Right to Erasure
• the Right to Restrict Processing
• the Right to Data Portability
• the Right to Object
• rights in relation to automated decision making and profiling.
HCP Finance Limited provide every customer with a Privacy Notice at the point data is captured.
The information supplied in this notice demonstrates how HCP Finance Limited is transparent over
our data processing. The notice is;
• concise, transparent, intelligible and easily accessible;
• written in clear and plain language, particularly if addressed to a child; and free of charge.
We include details of (but not limited to);
the Data Controller, the lawful reason for processing data, if any third parties have legitimate
interests, categories of personal data, categories of recipients such as banks and credit unions, the
data retention periods,
the individuals’ rights; including the right to withdraw, where the individual can complain about how
the data is processed with a supervisory authority, source of data when it comes from a third party
and where personal data is part of a contractual requirement or obligation.
Rectification
Individuals are entitled to have personal data rectified if it is inaccurate or incomplete. If HCP
Finance Limited has disclosed the personal data in question to third parties, then we will inform
them of the rectification where possible.
HCP Finance Limited will respond to this request within one month or extended by two months
where the request for rectification is complex.
Erasure
Individuals have a right to have personal data erased and to prevent processing in specific
circumstances;
• where the personal data is no longer necessary in relation to the purpose for which it was
originally collected/processed.
• when the individual withdraws consent.
• when the individual objects to the processing and there is no overriding legitimate interest
for continuing the processing.
• the personal data was unlawfully processed (i.e. otherwise in breach of the GDPR).
• the personal data must be erased to comply with a legal obligation.
• the personal data is processed in relation to the offer of information society services to a
child.
• under the GDPR, this right is not limited to processing that causes unwarranted and
substantial damage or distress. However, if the processing does cause damage or distress,
this is likely to make the case for erasure stronger.
HCP Finance Limited may refuse to comply with a request for erasure where the personal data is
processed for the following reasons;
• to exercise the right of freedom of expression and information;
• to comply with a legal obligation for the performance of a public interest task or exercise of
official authority.
• for public health purposes in the public interest;
• archiving purposes in the public interest, scientific research historical research or statistical
purposes; or
• the exercise or defence of legal claims.
If HCP Finance Limited has disclosed the personal data in question to third parties, a notification will
be sent, informing them about the erasure of the personal data, unless it is impossible or involves
disproportionate effort to do so.
Restrict processing
HCP Finance Limited will restrict the processing of personal data in the following circumstances;
• where an individual contest the accuracy of the personal data, you should restrict the
processing until you have verified the accuracy of the personal data.
• where an individual has objected to the processing (where it was necessary for the
performance of a public interest task or purpose of legitimate interests), and you are
considering whether your organisation’s legitimate grounds override those of the individual.
• when processing is unlawful, and the individual opposes erasure and requests restriction
instead.
• if you no longer need the personal data but the individual requires the data to establish,
exercise or defend a legal claim.
if any data has been disclosed to third parties, HCP Finance Limited will notify them about the
restriction on the processing of the personal data, unless it is impossible or involves disproportionate
effort to do so.
Portability
For personal data an individual has provided to a controller; where the processing is based on the
individual’s consent or for the performance of a contract; and when processing is carried out by
automated means, HCP Finance Limited must provide the personal data in a structured, commonly
used and machine-readable form. Open formats include CSV files. Machine readable means that the
information is structured so that software can extract specific elements of the data. This enables
other organisations to use the data.
HCP Finance Limited must provide this service free of charge.
If the individual requests it, we may be required to transmit the data directly to another organisation
if this is technically feasible. HCP Finance Limited will respond without undue delay, and within one
month or extended by two months where the request is complex or receive many requests.
Objecting
If an individual has objected to processing data or direct marketing, HCP Finance Limited will cease
to process the data.
Individuals must have an objection on “grounds relating to his or her particular situation”.
HCP Finance Limited will stop processing the personal data unless;
• compelling legitimate grounds for the processing, which override the interests, rights and
freedoms of the individual; or
• the processing is for the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims.
This is brought to the attention of the data subject at the first point of communication and in our
privacy notice. This is separated out from any other information.
Direct marketing purposes
As soon as an objection is received, HCP Finance Limied will stop processing personal data for direct
marketing purposes. This will be actioned at any stage and is free of charge.
Automated decision making including profiling
HCP Finance Limited understands that any form of automated processing of personal data intended
to evaluate certain personal aspects relating to a natural person, or to analyse, or predict that
person’s performance at work, economic situation, location, health, personal preferences, reliability,
or behaviour falls under this right. Where this is conducted, the rules and guidance of the ICO will be
adhered to and followed. To date, HCP Finance Limited does not conduct automated decision
making including profiling.
8. Subject Access Requests (SAR)
Individuals who are the subject of personal data held by HCP Finance Limited are entitled to;
• confirmation that their data is being processed;
• access to their personal data; and
• other supplementary information – this largely corresponds to the information that should
be provided in a privacy notice
Individuals contacting the company requesting this information, this is called a Subject Access
Request.
HCP Finance Limited will provide a copy of the information free of charge. However, a ‘reasonable
fee’ may be charged when a request is manifestly unfounded or excessive, particularly if it is
repetitive.
A reasonable fee may also be charged to comply with requests for further copies of the same
information. The fee is based on the administrative cost of providing the information only.
Once the identity of the person making the request has been verified, the information will be
provided within 1 month, this will be extended to 2 months if the request is complex. Notification
will be made to the individual if this is the case.
9. Complaints
It is made clear that data subjects who wish to complain about how their personal data has been
processed can raise this with HCP Finance`s complaints procedure. If the data subject is still not
happy, then the complaint can be referred to the Information Commissioners Office.
10. Data Security and Storage
When data is stored on paper, it should be kept in a secure place where unauthorised people cannot
see or have access to it. These guidelines also apply to data that is usually stored electronically but
has been printed out for some reason;
• when not required, the paper or files should be kept in a locked drawer or filing cabinet.
• employees should make sure paper and printouts are not left where unauthorised people
could see them, like on a printer;
• data printouts should be shredded and disposed of securely when no longer required.
When data is stored electronically, it must be protected from unauthorised access, accidental
deletion and malicious hacking attempts;
• data should be protected by strong passwords or encryption products;
• if data is stored on removable media (like a CD or DVD), these should be kept locked away
securely when not being used;
• data should only be stored on designated drives and servers and should only be uploaded to
an approved cloud computing services;
• servers containing personal data should be sited in a secure location, away from general
office space;
• data should be backed up frequently. Those backups should be tested regularly, in line with
the company’s standard backup procedures;
• data should never be saved directly to laptops or other mobile devices like tablets or smart
phones;
• all servers and computers containing data should be protected by approved security
software and a firewall.
The point that personal data is accessed is when it can be at greatest risk of loss, corruption, theft,
unlawful access, HCP Finance Limited will;
• when working with personal data, employees should ensure the screens of their computers
are always locked when left unattended;
• personal data should not be shared informally. It should never be sent by email, as this form
of communication is not secure.
• data must be encrypted before being transferred electronically.
• personal data should never be transferred outside of the European Economic Area unless
contractual arrangements are in place highlighting adequate safeguards and protection to
the rights of individuals.
• employees should not save copies of personal data to their own computers. Always access
and update the central copy of any data.