IIRSM offer SMEs Cybersecurity advice to meet new EU regulation

With 74% of small businesses reporting a security breach in the past year The International Institute of Risk and Safety Management (IIRSM) has launched a practical guide to help SMEs tackle cybersecurity breaches.

IIRSM have published the guidance in anticipation of the new EU Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) that comes into force in May 2018.

The regulation will require all businesses to demonstrate greater accountability and planning for their cyber security processes.

The new Regulation will impose larger fines, dependant on turnover and the type of failing involved, on businesses if they breach the regulations.  

A recent survey by the Government-run Cyber Streetwise campaign showed that 22% of those surveyed ‘didn’t know where to start’ when asked how to put in place an effective data security protection programme.

Security breaches can cost SMEs up to £75,000 - £310,000 and so IIRSM are keen to educate and inform SME business owners on how and why to implement data security measures that comply with the GDPR.

The IIRSM Practical Guide has been developed in partnership with Zurich.

To download the IIRSM Practical Guide or to find out further information on cyber security from the APMG International whitepaper, ‘Managing Cyber Risk’ here.