ICO releases data privacy assessment tool for SMEs

With the number of high profile examples of big businesses being targeted by cyber criminals, it’d be easy for small and medium-sized enterprises to overlook their own vulnerabilities.

Many SMEs possess customer databases to rival those of larger businesses, but tend to lack the security infrastructure to match – making them highly valuable targets for cybercriminals.

In recognition of this problem, the ICO released a tool last week designed to help SMEs assess their compliance with the Data Protection Act.

The tool contains a number of checklists covering the essential elements of cyber security including data protection, records management and information security. If you’re a SME, we highly recommend making use of this free tool to assess your own DPA compliance efforts.

Data Privacy Training

One crucial element the ICO recommends for data protection compliance is training, an area in which SMEs can easily compete with larger organisations – and something VinciWorks can help with.

Our responsive, multi-device eLearning covers all subjects the ICO recommends SMEs deliver training in for Data Protection Act compliance.

Not only are our eLearning courses responsive and deliverable on mobiles, tablets and personal computers, they also provide a robust audit trail, an essential element of any data protection policy.

Contact us today for guest access to our information governance eLearning courses or to discuss how we can help you comply with the data protection act.

How are you managing your GDPR compliance requirements?

GDPR added a significant compliance burden on DPOs and data processors. Data breaches must be reported to the authorities within 72 hours, each new data processing activity needs to be documented and Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIA) must be carried out for processing that is likely to result in a high risk to individuals. Penalties for breaching GDPR can reach into the tens of millions of Euros.

“In a world older and more complete than ours they move finished and complete, gifted with extensions of the senses we have lost or never attained, living by voices we shall never hear.”