Business owners and key decision makers will be aware of the fast-approaching 25th May deadline for General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
In short, businesses need to handle data more securely and transparently, or they risk being subject to financial penalties of up to €20 million or 4% of global turnover (whichever is higher), compensation claims and reputational damage to their brand.
This article will explain who GDPR applies to, what the key changes mean to your business, and how cloud-based services can become instrumental in protecting user data – and your business. Alternatively, learn how Atlas Cloud can help you become compliant with our range of cloud services.
Who does GDPR apply to?
GDPR will apply to your business if:
- Your organisation is located within the EU
- Your organisation is outside the EU but offers goods or services to the EU
- Your organisation is outside the EU but monitors or uses the data of EU citizens
This applies to businesses of any size.
When does GDPR take effect?
GDPR becomes enforceable from 25 May 2018. This is after a two-year transition period from the European Parliament first adopting the legislation in April 2016.
GDPR key changes
The changes to the General Data Protection Regulations have been created to help protect people’s privacy in a world where their data is increasingly utilized by businesses. The key changes, and what these changes mean for businesses, are summarised in the following:
- GDPR’s jurisdiction has been extended. Now it applies to all businesses in the European Union (and operating within the EU) processing personal data.
- Penalties for a breach of GDPR. Businesses found to not be adhering to GDPR can be fined up to 4% of their annual worldwide turnover, or €20 Million, depending on which is greater.
- Stronger conditions of consent to use data. The individual must be able to give consent to the use of their data in a clear, uncomplicated form. It needs to be as easy for the individual to withdraw consent, as it is to give it.
- Individuals to be notified of breaches. If the way a company handles data is likely to ‘result in a risk for the rights and freedoms’ of individuals, they must be notified within 72 hours of the company first becoming aware of the breach.
- The individual has the ‘Right to Access’ personal data. They need to be able to request and receive the personal data held about them and find out whether it is being processed, where it is being processed, and for what purpose.
- The individual has a right to have their personal data removed. Also known as the ‘right to be forgotten’, the individual has the right to have their data removed from a company’s system.
- Systems should consider data protection from the design stages. Also known as ‘Privacy by Design’, data protection should be considered when all systems are created, instead of thought of as an add-on or afterthought.
How can cloud software help you to be GDPR ready?
In light of the changes to regulations, it’s time to act and make sure you’re ready by the 25 May 2018.
Here at Atlas Cloud, we were the first managed IT provider to be ISO 27001 certified, and our award-winning customer service ensures you’re in safe hands. We provide managed cloud services for a range of industries, to businesses of all sizes – and our management team has over 30 years of combined experience in cloud technologies.
Here’s exactly how a managed IT service can help your organisation towards GDPR readiness:
- Ensures all systems consider data protection from conception
- The security offered by cloud technologies is intelligent and monitors unusual behaviour, to give the data unparalleled protection
- We use enterprise-grade servers that are always-up-to-date
We believe our cloud-based IT services can help you get ready, and put you in the best position to be compliant. There are three essential criteria that cloud-hosting services can help you with, that will make sure you are as prepared for the launch date as you can be.
Make sure all data is secure from the design stages
GDPR requires more formalised information security management, and ‘Privacy by Design’ requires your systems to consider data protection from the design stages. Your systems need to have unparalleled security, third-party transfer agreements need to be scrutinised, and transparent processes must be in place for consumers to access, amend and restrict their personal data.
By choosing a cloud provider for your IT systems, your business can operate virtually via hosted cloud applications, that have considered data protection in their design.
Align your business with the prioritisation of data protection
For complete GDPR compliance, your organisation needs to be entirely aligned with data protection. For example, team members must know how to identify threats that can affect personal data as part of their day-to-day work.
By using an ISO 27001 certified cloud provider like Atlas Cloud, you are working with a business that has been formally planning for GDPR since 2016. They are fully-briefed in potential risks to data protection, are trained to spot them and have the appropriate technologies and controls in place to manage risks.
Ensure the quality of service remains the same
While you work to become GDPR ready (and maintain it once it’s achieved) you will need to ensure you are delivering the same level of service to your customers during this process. If you choose to work with a cloud hosting provider, they can help you work on modernising and mobilising your business behind the scenes, so you can focus on your core business. Working with a cloud services provider can help you to store data and access data in a safe and standardised way, adhering to GDPR regulations as part of your day-to-day work.
If you would like help in getting your business ready for GDPR, the Atlas Cloud experts can help you. Get in touch today to speak to our team about a free demo.
About Atlas Cloud
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If you’re an accountant looking to utilise cloud technology, do not hesitate to contact us for more information about our hosted desktop solutions and our partnership with Sage. Contact us today for more information about our hosted offerings.
