On the 25th May 2018 the General Data Protection Regulations are set to change which will affect all businesses in the UK. These data privacy laws will be much stronger than the previous directives and will aim to ensure businesses are taking the necessary measures to protect their confidential data. This change is an issue which should not be taken lightly, if you fail to follow the required compliance you could face a hefty fine of up to a 4% of your annual turnover.
GDPR does chiefly apply to European Members, however, despite Brexit the UK have still decided to adopt these new regulations next year.
What types of information does GDPR class as ‘sensitive’…?
Businesses will have to be far more cautious about safeguarding their data, according to new legislation any data that can be used to identify an individual is classed as ‘confidential’. This includes: genetic, economic, mental, cultural or social information. It will also be essential that businesses are able to show they have full consent to use this personal data.
What do I need to be prepared for as a business?
Moving forward, it will be vital that organisations have a Cyber Security plan in place to protect them against theft, breaches and loss. This will involve Cyber Security awareness for staff, security of data and having full awareness of what steps you need to take if you experience a data breach. You are also obliged to notify the authorities within 72 hours of an attack, if this intrusion includes the theft of private information then the individuals also need to be informed.
How can I start preparing for this change?
As GDPR is set to take effect in little over a year, it is important that UK businesses start putting processes in place to prepare. An excellent place to begin is by getting certified by the government backed scheme Cyber Essentials. We are one of the few businesses in the West Midlands who are an IASME Certification Body for companies throughout the UK. This is a great way of demonstrating your interest in protecting your networks from breaches and following Cyber Security best practice.
Considering 1 in 4 organisations reported a cyber breach within the last 12 months, there has never been a more crucial time to strengthen or build your cyber defences. Here at Equilibrium Security, we offer a range of services which can be tailored to the needs of your business. As Cyber Security specialists, we aim to ensure that you have the sufficient security measures in place to safeguard your I.T infrastructure.
Whether you are looking to install a Next-Generation Firewall or to protect your business against ransomware and malware, when it comes to Cyber Security look no further… you can put your trust in us!
