Data Privacy Day

RESPECTING PRIVACY MAKES BUSINESS SENSE

Happy Data Privacy Day! This year’s theme for Data Privacy Day is ‘Respecting Privacy, Safeguarding Data and Enabling Trust.’

Coordinated by the National Cyber Security Alliance, Data Privacy Day has the mission of educating and empowering people to stay safe online, whether it is at work, home or school. So, how protected are you?

In a world where Internet users are constantly under threat from cyber criminals, staying safe has never been more essential. PwC recently found that 75% of UK CEOs see cyber security as a threat to their business in 2016. And, it’s not only the big companies that are feeling worried. Research conducted by the National Cyber Security Alliance has revealed that smaller businesses have become more susceptible to security attacks, despite 66% being dependent on the Internet for their daily work.

IF YOU COLLECT IT, PROTECT IT

Data Privacy Day is all about keeping data safe. As we know, business operations are dependent on information and that’s what cyber criminals are after. It could be information on anything from customer names and addresses to employees’ salary details.

With 69% of businesses handling sensitive information, it’s crucial to have the fundamental processes in place, such as using a confidential shredding services provider to have documents shredded once they are no longer needed and only collecting the minimum amount of data required. The Information Commissioners Office (ICO) details eight Data Protection Principles which organisations should abide by and these can be found here at ico.org.uk

Bearing all of this in mind, organisations and individuals operating online in any capacity, owe it to themselves to stay protected, with businesses facing fines of up to £500,000 if found in breach of the Data Protection Act.

It’s never been more important to implement and follow the necessary data protection guidelines, in addition to keeping up to date with the latest tools and software available.

For more information on Data Privacy Day, visit: https://staysafeonline.org