It’s been hard to avoid hearing horror stories from those companies which have fallen foul of the EU’s GDPR rulings since their implementation almost five years ago, in May 2018.

Still, for most organisations, the thought of becoming GDPR compliant is daunting - the full text is an incredible 261 pages long, after all. It can lead to organisations simply hoping they’ll never be exposed.

But whilst GDPR might seem slightly confusing at first blush, the regulations are quite easy to grasp, providing you the right training.

With significant fines the reality, educating your staff on how to deal with and manage data is imperative. As such, it’s important not to gloss over and to ensure that your staff get all of the knowledge, information, and guidance they might need to operate in a GDPR-compliant manner.

What is GDPR?

GDPR stands for General Data Protection Regulation and is legislation that controls and oversees the collection and processing of personal data.

The sweeping changes were introduced in May 2018 and have made data processing a far stricter area. Indeed, the fines are substantial if an organisation breaks the new rules. The current punishments outlined fall into two administrative tiers, with fines banded in two brackets:

Why is GDPR training important?

By now, it should be clear why GDPR training is vital: it only takes one unwitting mistake to end up being slapped with one of the eye-watering, potentially business-crushing fines outlined above. 

Avoiding mistakes begins with training your staff to understand their roles and responsibilities within GDPR. 

What are the benefits of GDPR training?

Avoid penalties and fines

As we’ve already mentioned, one of the most significant benefits of GDPR training is avoiding penalties and fines. By understanding the regulations and guidelines, employees can ensure they comply with the latest GDPR compliance rulings, reducing the risk of breaches and the accompanying financial consequences.

Improve your company’s reputation

Data protection has become a key concern for consumers, and they are more likely to trust companies that take their personal data seriously. By investing in GDPR training, your company can improve its reputation and build customer trust.

Increase staff awareness

By training your staff in GDPR, you increase their awareness of data protection, privacy, and security issues. This will help them identify potential data security risks and threats, which can be mitigated or avoided altogether.

Boost employee confidence

GDPR training can also boost your employee’s confidence in their role and responsibilities. By providing clear guidance and information, staff will feel empowered to make decisions and take appropriate action, which can increase productivity and overall job satisfaction.

Secure contracts

GDPR compliance is mandatory for all businesses that process personal data, and many contracts demand GDPR compliance from suppliers, so staying up-to-date with the latest guidelines and regulations is essential. Investing in GDPR training ensures your company stays ahead of competitors and complies with the latest data protection legislation.

Protect against cyber threats

Cyber threats and data breaches are becoming increasingly common, and GDPR training can help your staff to identify and respond to these threats effectively. By understanding the importance of data protection and how to prevent cyber attacks, your business can safeguard sensitive information and protect against potential financial losses.

With GDPR training courses from Bob’s Business, your staff can better understand their roles and responsibilities within GDPR - without any confusing jargon getting in the way.

These courses are designed to break down the expectations and responsibilities of your staff whilst improving awareness of GDPR and the personal accountability that comes with it.

Furthermore, Bob’s Business courses also show measurable changes in your company's culture. The reporting and management aspects of the course are simplified too, so you don’t have to worry about fighting your way through different statistics to show the effectiveness of the course!

Whether you’re in the public or private sector, every business is under pressure when it comes to GDPR.

With huge impacts on both your company’s reputation and resources at stake, so it’s never been more important to invest in GDPR training to ensure that the entire workforce understands the basics of the latest GDPR compliance rulings.