Data protection regulations affect the daily work of core members of Cochrane Groups, including:

• How you store and use personal data
• How you communicate with people

Key areas of Cochrane Group work involve storing and using personal data. Your organisation is responsible for identifying and complying with all applicable data protection legislation. To help you do this, the Cochrane Central Executive Team commits to:

• regularly review our policies to ensure that our central communications and IT infrastructure are data protection compliant
• have appropriate technological and organisational measures in place to protect the personal data of all staff, contributors, members and supporters – where these are stored in our central storage systems

Groups' responsibilities:

We have summarised some good practice below but this is not complete guidance - your organisation should make itself aware of what legislation applies to the data you process, and ensure you comply with all applicable legislation:

• Ensure everyone involved with your Cochrane Group has a Cochrane Account. By signing up for a Cochrane Account, people agree to us storing and processing their data. People can also view and edit their own personal details and communication preferences
• Anyone who is sent promotional information should have opted in to receiving communications
• Personal data should not be kept without legitimate reason and unnecessary data should be deleted
• Personal data should be stored in Cochrane's central storage systems (such as Cochrane Account, Editorial Manager or Engage), which are regularly backed up and secure (accessible only to those with permissions). Data in central storage systems are Cochrane’s responsibility
• If the central storage systems are not suitable for your group's use of personal data, your group is legally responsible for securely looking after this data and complying with all applicable data protection legislation

If you have any questions about this or need further assistance, please contact the Cochrane Support Team: support@cochrane.org