SMEs getting ready for new data protection regulations
A LARGE number of small and medium-sized business owners attended a General Data Protection Regulations Seminar in the Parkview Hotel last Thursday.
The event was organised by Local Enterprise Office Wicklow in anticipation of the introduction of the new regulations, which come into effect on May 25. Business and organisations will need to review and update their operational, administrative and technical measures in relation to data protection in order to adequately prepare for the changes.
Guest speaker Ruth Hallinan informed the participants of the changes in the data protection legislation and what they need to do now to prepare.
Wicklow Head of Enterprise, Sheelagh Daly said: ‘Local Enterprises need to be GDPR ready from May 25 and need to start preparing now. GDPR places onerous accountability obligations on enterprises to demonstrate compliance with many companies having extensive work to complete ahead of the introduction date. Through this seminar Local Enterprise Office Wicklow aims to inform sole traders and small business owners of the changes in the legislation and provide assistance towards becoming GDPR ready.’
The main threat associated with GDPR is the deadline, which is fast approaching, because non-compliance by the deadline8 could lead to a maximum fine of 4 per cent of global turnover of the preceding year or €20 million, whichever is the highest.
The seminar was organised with support from the Enterprise European Network, which is a support network for SMEs.