Last week, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) announced that it had launched a dedicated advice line, aimed directly at small organisations and charities to help them prepare for the new data protection regulations (GDPR) which come into force next year. The helpline opened on 1st November.
GDPR Helpline 0303 123 113
What is the helpline for?
The brand-new service aims to advise SMEs and Charities how to be GDPR compliant by the deadline of 25th May 2018. Additionally, it includes a personalised support element for those that have questions relating specifically to their own organisation. Organisations wanting to take advantage of this new service should call 0303 123 113 and select option 4 to get direct access to the staff with the expertise to offer support. The line offers assistance around GDPR but also provides advice on current regulations that are in place in the lead up to 25th May 2018.
Spokesperson and Information Commissioner Elizabeth Denham spoke out and 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.”
Various pieces of self-assessment documentation are available at the ICO website and the ICO has recently announced that they intend to publish a full guide to the GDPR which will provide more comprehensive information than the current guide.
ESP Projects preparation & help
Here at ESP Projects, we are already planning ahead for our own GDPR implementation. We have held several internal meetings and next on our agenda is for members of our Senior Management Team to attend several external GDPR events. After that, we will hopefully announce plans for a GDPR open day sometime in the new year.
One of the major aspects of GDPR will be securing internal database systems used within your organisation. We are well underway with understanding the requirements in that area and you can find out more about our development skills with database systems by clicking the link. Alternatively, contact us to find out more.
