As from the 25 May 2018 the existing law on Data Protection will be repealed and replaced by a new Act to work alongside the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR).  New sweeping powers to punish breaches in respect of Data Protection you hold on employees, customers, suppliers and clients will be introduced.  Failure to report a breach, as well as the breach itself, could result in a heavy fine.

Many of the principles and main concepts in the GDPR are much the same as in existing legislation that there are new elements which businesses (and key people within them) will need to take on board.

The Information Commissioners Office has issued a document listing 12 steps we can all be taking now to prepare for the changes.  This can be accessed on the ICO’s website https://ico.org.uk

In the New Year we will be offering a service to business clients to assist them in ensuring their existing Policies and procedures accord with the new Regulations.  This is intended for those clients who do not have the time and resources to carry out an audit of existing arrangements.  Educating key people in the organisation is going to be essential.

For more information please contact Geoff Lamb at our office.