What can we learn from past fines? Real GDPR cases show what not to do — and how to avoid costly errors.
Takeaway: Prevention is cheaper than cure. And when a breach happens, act fast and transparently.
Not every cyber incident is a GDPR breach. Here’s how to know when you must act. Under UK GDPR, a data breach isn’t just a hack — it’s any security incident that leads to: Examples: Understanding what qualifies as a breach is the first step toward compliance. If in doubt, treat it seriously and investigate…
Failing to document a breach, even if not reportable, could still cost you. Here’s what you must log. UK GDPR Article 33(5) requires you to document all breaches — whether or not they are reported to the ICO. Each record should include: This record must be made available to the ICO if requested. Good documentation…
Fail to notify the ICO of a notifiable breach within 72 hours, and your risk of fines increases. Here’s what to know. When a personal data breach occurs and is likely to result in a hig risk to individuals, you must notify the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) within 72 hours of becoming aware. Your report…
Building a Breach Response Plan That Works When a breach hits, speed and structure matter. Here’s how to build a response plan that’s ready to go No organisation is immune from data breaches — but how you respond defines the impact. Your plan should include: Rehearse the plan. Breaches don’t wait for calm days.
You can outsource processing, but not responsibility. Here’s what to do if your vendor causes a breach. If your third-party processor causes a breach, you are still the controller — and responsible under UK GDPR. Key steps to protect yourself: Outsourcing doesn’t mean offloading accountability. Choose vendors who take GDPR seriously.
Accidentally emailing sensitive data is the top cause of breaches. Here’s how to stop it. Misaddressed emails are the number one source of data breaches in professional services. They often involve: Prevention tips: Small changes can prevent big breaches.