Cybercrime is one of the top concerns of businesses throughout the county. It always has been, but with new regulation soon to be implemented, never has the time been more right for assessing current security measures that protect your data and your customers data.
Latest advice from the Cyber Skills Centre in Malvern advises that business in Worcestershire need to clue up about The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which comes into effect from May 25th 2018.
Stephen Wright, General Manager from the Cyber Skills Centre in Malvern said: "The GDPR will completely overall the current law which covers data protection in the UK. If an organisation (business) currently holds data and a 'real person' can be identified from this data then the regulation demands that the business can only use this data in ways that the person consents to, and the data must be secured and protected. This will become a legal requirement."
The National Cyber Skills Centre in Malvern advises business to focus on three main key points:
- Accountability: Individual businesses are responsible for building data protection and privacy into their organisation.
- Notification: Businesses must now report cybercrime that affects individuals to the authorities and the individual that is impacted.
- Consent: The GDPR has a list of stringent requirements on getting informed consent for the storage and use of data. One of the big changes is that if a business shares the data with other businesses then both parties are responsible for care of the data
So it is more important than ever for businesses, both big and small, to check their current data protection plans and cyber security strategies.
The main advice from the National Cyber Skills Centre in Malvern is not to panic but do take heed of the deadline of the middle of next year.
The Skills Centre can help with enquiries and help provide information about applying for the Cyber Essentials. Cyber Essentials is the Government's recommended minimum standard of cyber security for all UK businesses and organisations.