Get GDPR-ready or face a fine – that’s the message from Sheffield IT firm Millgate.
Responding to recent research* which found that less than one in ten UK SME owners fully understands what GDPR means for their business – or have taken appropriate steps to prepare – Millgate Managing Director Chris Calvert said the city business region needed to ‘get GDPR-ready’.
The General Data Protection Regulation, or GDPR, overhauls previous data protection directives to give more power back to the data subject. Companies around the UK and EU must ensure they are compliant with the new directives before the May 2018 deadline – or will be at risk of substantial fines and reputational damage.
Millgate, based on Vantage Drive in Sheffield, will be exhibiting at the Sheffield Connect event in October where delegates at the business conference and exhibition can visit the firm’s stand to get advice on GDPR from the team.
Chris Calvert said: “Every business needs to be GDPR-compliant by May 2018. But that deadline is fast approaching and worryingly few organisations are fully aware or actively preparing.
“And with GDPR set to impose fines of up to 4% of annual global revenue or €20 million – whichever is greater – organisations can quite literally not afford to ignore their responsibilities.
“Businesses need to evaluate all internal operations that involve the handling of secure data, identify any areas that present the risk of a data breach, and ensure they have processes in place to minimise that risk. Employees may require training, and software will need to be implemented to ensure security.
“We understand that it can all seem overwhelming but we’d advise SMEs not to be daunted and invite delegates at Sheffield Connect to take the first step on the path to preparing for GDPR by visiting our stand.
“Through our partnership with IT Governance, Bitdefender and Forcepoint, we can help organisations address the challenges of GDPR compliance with a comprehensive suite of information resources, training courses, toolkits, and consultancy services.”
Organised by Sheffield Chamber of Commerce and SIV, Connect Sheffield will be held at Ponds Forge on October 18 between 9am and 4pm.
For more information visit https://www.scci.org.uk/event/connect-sheffield-conference-and-exhibition/.
