ICO launches advice line to help SMEs prepare for GDPR

26 Jan 2018

Business

The Information Commissioner’s Office has launched a dedicated advice line to help SMEs prepare for a new data protection law.

The phone service is aimed at people running small businesses (employing under 250 people) or charities and recognises the particular problems they face getting ready for the new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

The GDPR replaces the current Data Protection Act and comes into force on 25 May 2018. Regulated by the ICO, the

GDPR strengthens the rules around personal data and requires organisations to be more accountable and transparent. It also gives people greater control over their own personal data.

There are already resources on the ICO website (ico.org.uk) to help organisations employing fewer than 250 people prepare for the GDPR, but the new phone line will offer additional, personal advice to small organisations that still have questions.

People from small organisations should dial the ICO helpline on 0303 123 1113 and select option 4 to be diverted to staff who can offer support. As well as advice on preparing for the GDPR, callers can also ask questions about current data protection rules and other legislation regulated by the ICO including electronic marketing and Freedom of Information.

Information Commissioner Elizabeth Denham said: “All organisations have to get ready for the new data protection rules, but we recognise that the 5.4 million small organisations in the UK face particular challenges.

“Small organisations want to be ready when the new law comes into force in May 2018, but they often struggle to know where to start. They may have less time and money to invest in getting it right and are less likely to have compliance teams, data protection officers or legal experts to advise them what to do.

“Our new phone service and all the other resources already on our website plus even more advice and guidance yet to come will help steer small businesses through the new law.”

In addition to the new phone service, the ICO is revising its simple-to-use SME toolkit into a GDPR resource that will allow businesses themselves to identify gaps in their own preparation for the new law.

Businesses that have yet to begin preparing for the law change can access a range of resources on the ICO’s dedicated data protection reform web pages at www.ico.org.uk.

A Breakfast Briefing event will also be held at St Helens Chamber on 17th April. To book visit www.sthelenschamber.com/events or call 01744 742028.