Welcome back to the International Trade Resources Podcast with your host, Kim Kirkendall. On today’s episode, Kim and Ervis Micukaj discuss business data production across borders. Ervis is the owner of Jet Services in China and provides a variety of data security services to foreign companies with business interests in Asia. 

In the discussion today we talk about how many employers and employees aren’t aware of the legal requirements for sharing data, and how that can cause major issues. In mainland China, management has to choose between two options: separate the China network from the Global network, or to combine into one worldwide system. To make that choice one should consider who is in charge of decision making, manages the solutions, and who will establish the rules, access, authority, and more. Having a strong local arm and a strong international arm is critical to success. 

The PIPL is China’s data protection law, and you don’t have to have a company in China to be subject to the PIPL. The new law is not on most foreign company’s radar - it is not even on most Chinese company’s radar. So it is important to understand the requirements - Kim and Ervis discuss this new regulation.  

Ervis also performs IT audits for his clients and ensures they are using the right vendors to stay in compliance. One major issue is where they are store their information to be compliant with Cloud storage regulations. Many people in upper management in the west are in their fifties and sixties, so their views and experience working with China is from twenty years ago. There were less regulations and need for compliance, which is just not the case anymore. Ervis talks about what questions to ask your teams to stay safe today. 

VPNs are another hot-button topic in Chinese data protection. VPN stands for Virtual Private Network and allows various entities access to a network controlled by a company’s IT team or outside service provider. It can be used to access data across countries - and avoid the great firewall of China. Commercial VPNs in China are illegal, so you should not provide them to your employees locally. Kim and Ervis discuss what VPN’s are legal and what companies provide the best services. 

Things you’ll learn

1. Background on China’s data sharing networks
2. PIPL and China’s protection laws
3. China’s use of VPNs and the regulations around them

Episode Sponsors:  

Modifi

www.modifi.com

Business Payments for Global Commerce

With MODIFI, Sellers get paid instantly, while their Buyers have the option to pay later. Flexibly. Digitally. All over the globe.

 

Acclime China

https://china.acclime.com/ Corporate Services and full Accounting/CPA/Tax for China.

Website: www.intltraderesources.com

Email: [email protected]

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