It is vital that all accountants and their clients have at least a basic understanding of the new Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) that will come into effect from 25 May 2018.
However, it’s not as if data protection only becomes an issue on 25 May – it’s a live issue today!
Statistics tell us that some 80% of security incidents or data breaches involve employees. When such a breach occurs, it can raise client concerns about the handling of their personal information (e.g. the security of their tax information).
Keeping personal information secure
Do your staff know:
- To keep passwords secure – change them regularly, no sharing?
- Make passwords from a phrase, with a mixture of at least eight characters, upper and lower case and some numbers and symbols?
- To lock / log off computers when away from their desks?
- To dispose of confidential paper waste securely by shredding?
- To prevent virus attacks by taking care when opening emails and attachments or visiting new websites?
- About working on a ‘clear desk’ basis – by securely storing hard copy personal information when it is not being used?
- That visitors should be signed in and out of the premises or restricted in areas normally accessible to staff?
- About positioning computer screens away from windows and at reception to prevent accidental disclosures of personal information?
- To encrypt personal information that is being taken out of the office if it would cause damage or distress if lost or stolen?
- To keep regular back-ups of information?
For more practical hints and tips on data protection and to get you started on your preparations for 25 May, please come to one of our series of courses on the ‘General Data Protection Regulation – What Accountants Need to Know’ at the Talbot Hotel, Stillorgan, County Dublin on one of the following dates:
Wednesday 21 March 2018 10am to 1pm
Wednesday 18 April 2018 2pm to 5pm
For more information on our other upcoming courses click here
