EUDPR – Will You Be Ready?

As things stand today, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), in line with the 1988 Data Protection Act can impose fines of up to £500,000 for serious breaches and in amongst the growing number of unsavoury headlines, sit well-known respected brands all heralding embarrassed blushes and diminishing bank accounts. There is big money in stealing big data and there is also big trouble if you’re on the receiving end of a breach; As a victim of what is effectively a crime that may not seem very fair but it doesn’t make it any less true.

In June, all 28 Member States agreed to a Pan-European data protection law (EUDPR) putting an end to each individual member being responsible for enforcing data protection solely within their own country.

Allowing for the usual bureaucratic hitches, EUDPR has already entered its trial phase and in 2017/18 the law will become fully active. The key points of this new legislation propose fines of up to €100 million or 5% of an organizations turnover.

This is a country mile away from a hypothetical threat; data breaches contain the real world capability to cripple an organisation on every level. There is also a hefty dose of insult to serve as a side dish to injury, the Data Owners will be liable but so will the company or individuals that actually manage and process the data; this includes all cloud and digital service providers.

What you need to do

Adherence to EUDPR is now a critical component to the safety of all types of data, not to mention your exposure as an individual and as an organisation. The ICO has been banging this well-intended drum for years now and the introduction of EUDPR means that they’re now equipped to do their job and do it well.

Therefore the importance of knowing your risks as they stand today, where the gaps reside and what a path to compliance resembles, has never been greater.

*If you’d like Q to help assess your readiness for EUDPR, click “Contact Us” to contact one of our specialists for an initial assessment.

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