For the protection of the company and staff, small businesses must comply with the GDPR, which requires having sufficient data protection measures, prevention procedures, and adequate safeguards in place.
At Midland Computers, we want to ensure you understand the regulations and impact of a data breach, so that your small business is protected and prepared.
Our services offer high-level security and unwavering expertise to keep your business compliant and bring peace of mind when it comes to data security.
GDPR Compliance for a Small Business
GDPR compliance with data security means taking appropriate, practical steps to protect personal and sensitive data that your small business collects. From internal staff profiles to external partners’ information, all the data you store and process needs to be adequately protected, with controls in place in case of a data breach.
A common misconception is the level of risk surrounding a small business. Often, it is assumed that small businesses are at less risk than larger businesses because they hold smaller pools of data or pose less financial gain for a cybercriminal. However, due to their usual basic security systems or lack of a dedicated security team, they are unfortunately prime targets.
Small businesses must stay compliant with GDPR, for both aligning with standard regulations and for their cyber safety.
To summarise, here is a clear guide on GDPR compliance for small businesses, for data security:
- Ensure the use of strong passwords and multi-factor authentication.
- Keep computers and software updated and patched.
- Install antivirus and endpoint protection, as well as a firewall to as your digital security guard.
- Limit access to personal data with no shared accounts or personal emails.
- Encrypt laptops, devices, and backups.
- Regularly backup devices with at least one offline or secure cloud copy.
- Train staff to spot suspicious activity and handle data safely
- Only collect relevant data, and regularly clear out old data.
- Use GDPR-compliant suppliers and cloud services, such as Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud or Microsoft Azure.
The Impact of a Data Breach
A data breach can have a huge impact on a small business, causing financial, operational and reputational damage.
Short-term impact includes recovery, legal fees, fines or penalties, operational downtime, and lost sales. Long-term impact sees erosion of trust (internal and externally), customer churn, brand reputation, and reduced revenue. These impacts can be detrimental to a small business, with smaller networks and fewer resources to rely on than a larger organisation.
Having a response plan in place is compliant and responsible, so that in the case of a data breach, your small business is prepared:
- Detect and contain suspicious activity, an unusual login or malware alert, and immediately isolate systems or devices affected.
- Assess the situation. What type of data is affected, personal or sensitive? Who has been affected, and is there a risk posed to these individuals, for example, financial loss or identity theft?
- Notify the ICO and affected individuals within 72 hours of the breach, relaying all of the findings and the measures you have taken. The individuals affected should be informed of the steps they should take to further ensure their safety.
- Investigate the root cause, for example, phishing, lost device or malware, and take steps to strengthen security to avoid a repeat breach.
- Keep a record of the data breach and conduct a post-incident review to improve security policies, staff training and digital controls.
Midland Computers Services
Our services offer small businesses peace of mind, from IT support to security solutions.
Midland Computers is a team of experts, offering personalised consultation for all things IT, whether you want to learn more about GDPR compliance in your small business or review your data security.
After consultation, we offer bespoke security solutions, including our award-winning Endpoint Protection, Endpoint Detection and Response and our Through Vulnerability Management, all designed to shield your data and minimise risks.
As we move with the rapidly changing digital world, small businesses must remain aware of the impact of data breaches and be aligned with GDPR compliance, for both their safety and survival.
Get in touch with any questions or small business enquiries.