New GDPR rules could see reported data breaches soaring

Data breaches are soaring, and only better cybersecurity and improved data protection training and protocols is going to stop the crisis worsening.

Almost every day we are seeing yet another breach somewhere around the world. With cyber-criminals getting smarter, and with many investing their ill-gotten gains back into their “business” to create more powerful tools, something needs to be done.

The new GDPR rules coming into force next month may be the catalyst needed for organisations to take cybersecurity more seriously.

Almost everyday we are seeing another organisation has been hacked, and tens or hundreds of thousands of people’s data has been stolen or exposed. You would think the presence of an ever-growing threat would lead to businesses taking cybersecurity and data protection more seriously, and adequately investing in defending themselves.

But there is still an attitude of complacency amongst huge private organisations as well as the public sector.

The new General Data Protection Regulation – commonly known as the GDPR – come into force at the end of May (25^th) could see organisations (public and private) facing huge fines that could run into the millions if they fall foul when it comes to data protection laws. The changes may well trigger a shift in attitude where people truly focus on cybersecurity and adequate staff training.

Data breaches are also more frequently publicised, and the awareness of the dangers and threats is far more prominent nowadays. This may, arguably, conflate the idea that data breaches are soaring; but when you look at the figures and statistics, together with the fact that more and more data is digitalised nowadays, the soaring number of data breaches is obvious.

Victims of data protection breaches can claim for compensation. Even where the victims’ data is hacked, there is still a duty on organisations to take all reasonable and necessary stops to protect their clients’ data.

Inadequate cybersecurity and data protection systems and protocols can be an open door for compensation claims, and the law is on the side of the victims.