Cyber security firm boss warning firms are at GDPR ‘cliff-edge’

The founder and chief executive of a systems management and cyber security firm in Greater Manchester has warned the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) legislation which comes into force in May is a “cliff-edge many businesses are running towards”.

Chris Houghton’s Eventura business has been based in Bolton for 15 years, two years ago relocating to a new 6,500 sq ft building on the site of former pub The Cross Guns on Bolton Road, Westhoughton.

The company counts Kamani, infrastructure contractor Excalon, Umbro, Pringle, golf apparel company Ashworth & Calloway, and curtain specialist Rectalla among its clients.

Houghton says the GDPR regulations which kick in on May 25 are not a huge jump from the original Data Protection Act.
But there are two elements which companies should be concerned about, he said.

“Individuals get more rights enshrined in law,” he said. “Responsibilities for data control and processing need to know that people have more rights about what is done with personal data.

“People have a right to ask for that data to be amended or deleted. The desire to be forgotten is a fundamental right in GDPR.

“Companies must make it as easy to delete data as it is to protect it. It’s going to be really difficult for some companies.”

He said they must have process in place for a “data subject request”. This has to be completed within 72 hours and fed back.

Companies with more than 200 employees must appoint a data protection officer because it is a European right, regardless of Brexit, which puts an added burden on business, he said.

Failure to comply with the legislation could incur fines of £20m or 4% of global turnover, whichever is highest.

Houghton, whose mother is Maltese and who has business interests on the island, says has Eventura operated at the SME end of the market, but is now beginning to work with businesses all over the North and beyond.

Turnover has climbed to £1.6m following the £1m investment into the bespoke building where he and his 26 employees are based.
The 52-year-old staunch UK patriot is unfazed by the looming Brexit and its uncertainties.

“The EU is a house of cards,” he said. “I’d rather we just leave now and hand the £40bn we’re going to pay the EU to the NHS and social services. Who in their right mind would object to that?”