Data protection training is often one of those things that gets put on the back burner. There never seems to be a ‘right time’ to do it. You are too busy running your business and there’s no time to squeeze in training.
You may feel that now is an even worse time to have data protection training. There is a pandemic. You are trying to stay safe, home school your kids, look after parents – AND keep your business running!
But, this pandemic brings with it not only a risk to health but also to personal information. The World Health Organisation has reported that it has received five times more cyberattacks compared to the same period last year. Zoom, the popular video conferencing platform, has been subjected to hacking issues. There are many more stories like these.
Working Remotely
Scammers and cyber criminals have set to work to take advantage of the fact that many people are now working from home, often without the proper security controls in place. Such controls include Remote Working Policies and Procedures, firewalls and anti-malware. Staff are using their own smart phones and laptops for work, with no instructions on how to keep work data safe or keep it separate from their own information. Families are sharing laptops and passwords, as they all try to cope with home schooling and working from home. Colleagues are not on hand to ask about unexpected yet official looking emails, or help with phone calls from genuine sounding people making unusual confidential information requests.
With all the dangers and challenges that COVID-19 brings, it’s little wonder that some of us are being caught out by these new scams and cyberattacks. However, it highlights how important it is to have the appropriate training in order to keep information about yourself, your family and your business safe.
Appropriate Training
That said, perhaps you are appropriately set up for working from home with suitable security controls in place but perhaps you have not had data protection training for over a year. If so, now is a good time to have a refresher. The Information Commissioner’s Office expects staff processing personal data to have training in data protection on an annual basis.
Alternatively, you may want more in-depth training or to obtain a new qualification, especially if your business is quiet at the moment. Take advantage of the lull by refreshing your existing knowledge or learning more.
For example, would you know what to do if you were to suffer a personal data breach? Our virtual Data Breach course can help with this.
Do you know how to process a Subject Access Request? Our virtual course on Subject Access Requests will guide you.
Of course, any of our courses will help you meet the Accountability Principle under the GDPR by demonstrating that you and your staff have had data protection training.
Do you work for a charity?
We are offering one free place on our GDPR Foundation Course in July 2020 to a charity.
Visit the training page or give us a call. We would be glad to help. Hope to hear from you soon but in the meantime, stay safe!!
