Data protection: a new tool for SMEs from the ICO

Published: Fri, 02/05/16

Not all small businesses realise that if they hold personal data about their customers and clients they must register with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).

The ICO has recently launched a self-assessment tool that will help SMEs to assess their compliance with the Data Protection Act. The toolkit provides links to relevant guidance and further information, and generates an assessment rating based on user responses.

The easy-to-use toolkit may be completed as one comprehensive assessment that embraces the key obligations that SMEs have in relation to processing their customers' or clients' personal information. Alternatively, it can be broken down into separate checklists so users can tailor it to their organisation’s particular needs and risks.

You can access the checklist here:

https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/improve-your-practices/data-protection-self-assessment-toolkit/

Noel Guilford

Noel Guilford is the principal of Guilford Accounting a small business accountancy practice specialising in advising owner-managed businesses on current accounting, finance, and tax matters. You can reach him via email at noel@guilfordaccounting.co.uk or by phone at 01244 660866. He is the author of the best selling book 'Figure it out - an entrepreneurs guide to understanding your business numbers' which you can obtain by visiting http://guilfordaccounting.co.uk/figureit out.