Shred-it GDPR Compliance Survey of UK SMEs Reflects Positive Understanding but Highlights Key Areas of Concern Under the Surface

The survey data showed that one third (32%) of SMEs reported that GDPR has had a 'great' or 'considerable' impact on their business. When those businesses that had experienced challenges with GDPR compliance were probed further, they cited data breaches and disclosure requirements as the main challenges, with healthcare (27%) and real estate (25%) the main industries affected with those specific areas. Small proportions also reported issues with subject access requests, again with healthcare (28%) and real estate (15%) being the main industries affected.

The survey data showed that one third (32%) of SMEs reported that GDPR has had a 'great' or 'considerable' impact on their business. When those businesses that had experienced challenges with GDPR compliance were probed further, they cited data breaches and disclosure requirements as the main challenges, with healthcare (27%) and real estate (25%) the main industries affected with those specific areas. Small proportions also reported issues with subject access requests, again with healthcare (28%) and real estate (15%) being the main industries affected.

Ian Osborne, Vice President UK & Ireland for Shred-it, states, "Our survey seems to show two clear pictures emerging. One is where the majority of SMEs are genuinely engaged with the process of compliance; within that group there are many who believe they are already compliant but may have missed some key more complex parts of the GDPR. It is the minority in that group who have recognised its greater challenges and are wrestling with its more complex areas. The other is one where some SMEs recognise they are not ready, seem unwilling to address the issue of GDPR compliance and are reluctant to seek support in any form to help them. When the relevant authority's fines become more common headlines across the UK, we expect that views may change about what compliance really means."

To learn more about Shred-it's GDPR compliance survey visit:  https://www.shredit.co.uk/en-gb/resource-centre/infographics/gdpr-compliance-survey

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