The expiration date for the EU and the US to negotiate a 'Safe Harbour 2.0' is fast approaching, with the general understanding that a solution will not be reached by the issued deadline of January 31st (Find out more about Safe Harbour here, and the deadline here).
The Article 29 Working Party's official statement said that, 'If by the end of January 2016, no appropriate solution is found with the US authorities...EU data protection authorities are committed to take all necessary and appropriate actions, which may include coordinated enforcement actions.'
This means that on February 1st, EU data protection authorities will begin to take action against businesses who are storing the personal information of clients, customers and employees outside the EU.
It is likely that the authorities will start with those companies storing sensitive personal data of minors or vulnerable parties, but they will take action against any business which is not protecting any and all personal data. If your business is storing or transferring any personal information outside of the EU either physically or virtually, you must now take steps to secure this data (or move it to a location within the EU).
It is important to take stock of the personal data your business handles, look into where its going and who has access to it and take any necessary action by January 31st. Transcendit are happy to look at your systems, let you know what action needs to be taken and offer technical support.
If you need help understanding Safe Harbour or what to do next, please contact us at 0191 482 0444 and ask for Adam Kuznesof.
