This is a guest contribution by Pavlos Sideris. If you would like to submit a contribution please contact Bill Beatty for submission details. Thank you.

Across the UK and the rest of Europe, businesses from all industries use data collection as a way to drive their companies forward. While this has proven an effective method, especially as we move into a more virtual world, there have been a number of setbacks including companies using this data for more nefarious means, or that data being targeted for theft.

While there have been laws in place for several years to protect people’s rights and personal information, there were still many changes that needed to be made in order to fully satisfy the security of people’s personal information and the way it is collected, handled and used.

That’s where the GDPR comes in, which will come into effect on the 25th May 2018, with the aim to enforce more protection of consumers while also imposing stricter penalties on companies that don’t comply.