The GDPR Advisory Board Offers Expert Advice
The GDPR Advisory Board launched on 7th December is an easily-accessible, authoritative platform for organisations baffled by the implications of the forthcoming General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Expert advice from the new ‘GDPR Advisory Board’ will be available through a non-commercial website – www.gdpr-board.co.uk In addition to the information provided on the site, users can contact the GDPR Advisory Board with questions via a q&a portal or by emailing info@advisory-board.co.uk.
The new GDPR Advisory Board consists of a panel of highly influential industry authorities :–
- Professor David Stupples - cyber-security & data protection academic who regularly acts as a media spokesperson on the topic of data protection
- Nick Richards - CEO of online GDPR training provider, Me Learning
- Piers Clayden - Founder of Clayden Law, specialists in information technology, data privacy and cyber-security law
- Alfred Rolington - an expert and author on cyber-security with keen academic interest in GDPR. Former CEO of Jane’s Information Group and co-founder of Cyber Security Intelligence Ltd.
The GDPR is new data protection legislation that comes into force from 25 May 2018. Non-compliance will mean hefty fines, up to 4% of annual global turnover or up to €20 million, whichever is higher, so getting in line is essential. All UK organisations must become GDPR compliant, and in doing so, face many questions as to what they should be doing with any personal data they hold and when.
The newly launched GDPR Advisory Board is there to help with this important process that will be seen as a priority for many businesses across 2018.
Professor David Stupples highlights, “The application of the legislation for GDPR is almost upon us and there seems already to be an element of complacency surrounding the topic with most company boards moving it to the back burner. Events this year have demonstrated that the legislation is long overdue and it must be taken seriously in order to prevent confidential and private data getting into the wrong hands. Furthermore, the penalties for non-compliance are seriously high and therefore senior management should now start to focus.”
Nick Richards of the GDPR Advisory Board comments “Time is ticking for GDPR compliance. Organisations need to ensure they are GDPR ready soon, else they are going to face not only financial penalties but potentially damaging publicity consequences too. “But it’s not that straightforward, for some businesses it will need a cultural shift in the way data is managed along with comprehensive training for this to happen. The GDPR Advisory Board is made up of a team of genuine GDPR experts who are there to answer questions about implementation at a time when it is needed.”
Piers Clayden has worked closely with the legal implementation of GDPR and adds ”For those organisations that currently conduct themselves in accordance with good privacy practice and with a strong information governance culture, the impact of GDPR is likely to be relatively light. However, for organisations that have only ever paid lip service to their data protection obligations, they are likely to find that compliance will require a big investment in terms of time, money and resources.”
Alfred Rolington concludes, “…GDPR doesn’t provide specific technical direction, which leaves room for security issues that the business must be responsible for. This means that organisations will be independently responsible for establishing and maintaining the best practices needed to uphold outlined data security requirements."
2018 is the year GDPR comes into force, organisations across the UK will have to make the cultural shift in the next six months else they really will have left it too late.
The GDPR Advisory Board will help the unprepared with this compliancy process. All members of the board will be available as media spokespeople and can provide comment on GDPR on request.
Please look at www.gdpr-board.co.uk and contact info@advisory-board.co.uk for free advice
