In the US alone, 1244 data breaches were reported last year, up 249% in the last decade. Hackers are becoming demonstrably smarter, faster and more creative in their methods of breaking into systems and stealing confidential and personal identifiable information. The breach itself is, of course, just the start of the nightmare, as millions of innocent users/customers/families face the risk of financial fraud, their personal files and memories wiped, or having their identities stolen. So “unfun”. UK Information Commissioner Elizabeth Denham rightly states: “People’s personal data is just that – personal”.
This backdrop clarifies both the necessity and urgency for the monumental changes that took place last year, in the way European Union cyber security legislation is applied. On the 25th of May 2018, as headlines documented Nicki Minaj confirming her relationship with Eminem, Harvey Weinstein’s surrendering to police, and excitement over the ‘hottest bank holiday Monday EVER’, many of us may have overlooked the historical turning point for our own Cyber Security, as the EU General Data Protection Regulation law went live. It was reported by many to be ‘the most important change in privacy regulation in 20 years’. Twitter, of course, got wind of the message, as ‘#GDPRday’ became one of the top hashtags at that time, but news of the legal activation was minimal for many or most, despite the colossal impact this will have on millions of individuals. Including you.
YES THAT’S RIGHT, it impacts you! (Unless you don’t own a computer, have never created an email account and you live on the moon…in which case - as you were).
- Abide by General Data Protection Regulation
- Correct Data handling is cheaper than alternatives
- Invest in cyber safety nets, systems and security to keep data personal!
Better safe than bankrupt.
