Data Matters - The reform of EU Data Protection Legislation & its impact on NI

April 13 2017

The Chief Executives' Forum and CIMA have joined forces to highlight a critical emerging issue facing all businesses and organisations in the private and public sectors in Northern Ireland. The GDPR (2016/679) (General Data Protection Regulation) was initially published by the European Commission in 2012. After years of negotiation it was finally adopted in April 2016 and following a two year bedding-in process, it comes into force in May 2018. It will replace the existing Data Protection Directive 95/46/EC.

The GDPR introduces substantial changes to European data protection law, along with severe financial penalties for non-compliance. Therefore, it is important for businesses and organisations to start taking steps now to prepare for the implementation of the new rules.

- What next for NI? What will be the implications of Brexit on DP reforms?

- Impact of new technologies – are we ready? What should we be doing to prepare?

- Managing the balance between commercial opportunities / organisational requirements and personal rights

Ken Macdonald, Head of Information Commissioners Office Regions will provide an overview on the GDPR and highlight some of the key changes and challenges facing business.

Paul Wickens, Chief Executive, NICS Enterprise Shared Services will provide local context for the challenges being faced by the Public Sector in terms of GDPR. He will discuss some of the implications for governance and risk alongside accountability for Information Management under the new directive.