Archive for June, 2016

How Brexit affects GDPR

Tuesday, June 28th, 2016

Leaving the EU will not affect the proposed changes in how data is protected and stored in the future. The ICO (Information Commissioner’s Office) has confirmed our view that the laws still need updating to make sure data is secure, regardless of the controversial vote to leave the EU. As we intend to continue trading across borders, so we need to be complicit and demonstrate good levels of ‘adequacy’ when it comes to data protection. It makes complete sense, therefore, that nothing changes and GDPR is here to stay. If you’re catching up, GDPR is the new version of Data Protection and comes into play in the next couple of years. It’s our job to make sure our clients, and followers, understand their role in this – it affects every business of every size.

 

An ICO spokesperson said:

“The Data Protection Act remains the law of the land irrespective of the referendum result.

“If the UK is not part of the EU, then upcoming EU reforms to data protection law would not directly apply to the UK. But if the UK wants to trade with the Single Market on equal terms we would have to prove ‘adequacy’ – in other words UK data protection standards would have to be equivalent to the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation framework starting in 2018. 

“With so many businesses and services operating across borders, international consistency around data protection laws and rights is crucial both to businesses and organisations and to consumers and citizens. The ICO’s role has always involved working closely with regulators in other countries, and that would continue to be the case.

“Having clear laws with safeguards in place is more important than ever given the growing digital economy, and we will be speaking to government to present our view that reform of the UK law remains necessary.”

The art of networking just got easier

Tuesday, June 14th, 2016

Networking in its traditional sense is my idea of hell on earth. Early morning meetings with weak coffee, a lukewarm bacon butty and endless small talk and hand shaking before I’m fully awake. Then the horror of speaking OUT LOUD in front of 25+ equally sleepy people about who you are, what you do and what you sell. Not fun.

These days there are the equivalents of match.com types of services for businesses. If you know your market and have a clear focus on the types of clients you want, you are highly likely to be able to find a company that can provide these direct to your door. We came across one such service for financial advisers and accountants – Yourmoneyhub.com – an ‘in your face’ introduction service. The founder, James Vinicombe, describes the business as one that helps people and businesses find trusted financial and accounting advice. We like the idea – it saves lots of time and wasted energy and connects people.

We completely subscribe to the idea that you employ people to do the things you can’t.

 

What do you know about GDPR?

Monday, June 13th, 2016

Screen shot 2016-06-13 at 09.29.40The new GDPR comes into effect in 2 years from now. That might seem a long way off but it is barely enough time to understand the changes and put everything into place for total compliancy. What are we talking about? The new GDPR replaces the Data Protection Act as we have come to know it. It has serious implications for any business holding customer information – this includes businesses that sell products and services and also those who monitor customer behaviour (in any way – research, social media etc) of EU citizens.

It is important on many levels – for ethical reasons obviously – you are holding someone’s personal details. However you should be aware that the fines for misconduct (and this can happen just as easily by accident than design) are severe. Previously the ICO (Information Commissioner’s Office) could demand up to £500,000 for serious breaches. Under the new rules, the ICO can fine companies up to 4% of global turnover or €20m. For more minor breaches, fines up to 2% of global turnover or €10m can be levied. This is serious stuff.

A useful article outlining this is more depth can be found in the Law Society Gazette.

There are many things to understand about GDPR but you must comply with the 6 main principles of the law, have a Data Protection Officer (employed or outsourced) and completely understand what the implications of holding data are. Talk to us and we can help. Time is ticking.

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