12 August, 2017
Irish information security provider, Ward Solutions, has invested €300,000 to launch a new GDPR consultancy service for Irish businesses.
But, the GDPR deadline won't only impact United Kingdom or European based businesses; any business which has European customers will be affected.
In addition to implementing the GDPR, the New Data Protection Bill will implement the Data Protection Law Enforcement Directive (the "DPLED"), which would otherwise not have direct applicability to United Kingdom law.
Elizabeth Denham, the information commissioner, said: "We are pleased the government recognises the importance of data protection, its central role in increasing trust and confidence in the digital economy and the benefits the enhanced protections will bring to the public".
In other words, United Kingdom companies who operate in Europe or process the data of European citizens would have been subject to GDPR post-Brexit anyway. Ward has established a dedicated team of fifteen consultants to deliver the service and is forecasting that it will generate €500,000 in new revenue from this new service in the first 12 months.
GettyA new data protection bill is due to be introduced later this year
Penalties of up to 4% of a company's global annual turnover or €20 million - whichever is greater - are expected, so it is something all organisations should take seriously, as this size of fine could end a business.
MapR and Talend have announced they are working closely on a solution to help customers address requirements of the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) legislation.
Ahead of the new regulation, which comes into effect across the European Union from May 25 next, the IT security firm has invested €300,000 in staff training, accreditation and new hires to make this new service available. The company's team of consultants have attained GDPR-specific certifications such as the Certified Data Protection Practitioner from ICS Skills, the EU General Data Protection Regulation Certificate from the International Board for IT Governance and the Certificate in Data Protection Practice from the Law Society of Ireland. The DPLED is created to cover the gap in the GDPR regarding the processing of personal data for "prevention, investigation, detection or prosecution of criminal offences or the execution of criminal penalties, including the safeguarding against and the prevention of threats to public security".
"Demand for this service is so high that 15 of our experienced data privacy consultants are now working exclusively on GDPR, and will be continuing to do so for the foreseeable future".
