The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a comprehensive set of rules and regulations designed to protect the personal data of individuals within the European Union. It sets out strict criteria for how companies must collect, store, process, and use personal data, as well as give individuals specific rights over their own information. The GDPR also requires organizations to be transparent about their practices when it comes to handling customer or employee data. Moreover, firms must put in place robust security measures such as encryption technologies and access controls in order to ensure that only authorized personnel have access to sensitive information. Compliance with GDPR is mandatory for all businesses operating within the EU; failure can result in hefty fines or other sanctions from regulatory authorities.