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In a poll taken at the Mourant Ozannes GDPR seminars in Guernsey and Jersey last week, 3/4 of attendees correctly answered that everyone within an organisation has a role to play in data protection.
The law firm ran three sell-out seminars across Jersey and Guernsey, delivering practical advice on the key areas within each organisation that will feel the impact of the GDPR which comes into effect on 25 May 2018. Panel members discussed the features of the new regime, looking closely at the day to day implications for handling external personal data, marketing and database management as well as HR and employment issues.
Mourant Ozannes Guernsey Managing Partner and employment law specialist, Jessica Roland, said: "Ultimately, the impact of the GDPR is likely to vary greatly from business to business, depending on the nature of work and the jurisdictions companies operate in. Our aim was to give practical guidance that everyone can understand as we will all have a part to play to make sure our own organisations are compliant. Interestingly we discovered that most if not all attendees are currently in the process of preparing for changes and some are already GDPR ready which is excellent news."
Attendees were given guidance on how they can demonstrate they are taking the GDPR seriously with help from Mourant Ozannes' booklet on preparatory steps. The steps include an audit and data origin exercise, policy and procedure changes for not relying on implied consent, preparing and deciding on strategies for privacy notices, as well as the importance of training employees.
The Mourant Ozannes Channel Islands employment teams paneled the events and gave practical advice for attendees to take away to their own organisations. Jessica moderated the event in Guernsey joined by senior associate Rachel Guthrie, associates Michael Whitbread and Andy McArthur. In Jersey partner Carla Benest moderated the event, joined by counsel Mathew Cook, senior associate Laurie Child and associate Katie Phillips. Mourant Ozannes' dedicated CRM Manager, Philip Whitehead, spoke at all three events.
The GDPR will replace the EU Data Protection Directive 1995 and more specifically in the Channel Islands, organisations will have to adhere to the Data Protection (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law 2017, the Data Protection (Jersey (Law) 20- and the (Data Protection Authority (Jersey) Law 20-.
The Mourant Ozannes team has created a GDPR Hub which has regular updates, news and key actions that will help anyone systematically prepare for 25 May 2018.
The Guernsey seminar took place on Wednesday 7 February and the two Jersey seminars took place on Thursday 8 February.
