So, it’s just over a year until GDPR will be enforced by the EU, and yes, even with Brexit on the horizon, businesses in the UK must still make sure they comply. Will this affect you? What do you need to do? How should you prepare?
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR ) will come into force on 25 May 2018 and all businesses trading in or providing services to the EU will have to comply or face hefty fines – 2-4% of global revenue or up to €20 million. Ouch.
Faced with this intimidating penalty it makes sense that you need you know what GDPR is and, more importantly, what you need to be doing to adhere to the changes in regulation. The amendments are significant (although definitely needed) – and amazingly reformed from the outdated Data Protection Act of the previous generation.
Worryingly though, a recent report from Crown Records Management stated that 24% of businesses have stopped preparing for GDPR wrongly assuming that because of Brexit it will no longer affect them. This is not the case.
The UK government has indicated that once Brexit is finalised they will transfer GDPR to UK law. Equally, as we will not be formerly leaving the EU until 2019, we will be legally required to adhere to GDPR from May 2018 in any case. And finally, even if your business is trading in the EU, you will still be required to comply whether in the EU or not.
And the fines will be huge if you don’t work within the new regulations – Veritas undertook a recent survey that revealed that 1 in 5 companies polled thought that their business could go out of practice if such heavy penalties were imposed. So what to do?
You’re at the right place. Me Learning has just launched one of the UK’s only e-learning courses dedicated to preparing for the GDPR. It’s easy to access, simple to use and ideal for those who’ll be affected by the new regulations.
Just 30 minutes long it explains clearly the updates that will be in force from next May and how you can prepare. Easy.