Technology never stands still. IT and security are set for substantial changes. New Dutch legislation on reporting data breaches takes effect on 1 January 2016, while preparations for the European General Data Protection Regulation, or GDPR, are under way.
In broad terms, the Dutch notification law requires qualifying breaches involving personal data to be reported to the Dutch Data Protection Authority, then known as the CBP. In certain circumstances, affected individuals must also be informed. Failure to report a breach can result in a fine.
In an age when almost everything we do has a technological component, regulation is becoming more extensive. Compliance matters increasingly, as does managing risks when employees work across different locations and times. Add the challenge of preventing data loss through external attacks, employee mistakes or IT failures, and IT teams have plenty to keep them busy.
These challenges also affect a technology company’s reputation and communication. How does your business handle legislation? How do you help customers become and remain compliant? With mandatory breach notification approaching, organisations will also need to communicate more quickly when incidents occur. How will they do that? Change in IT brings new dynamics and opportunities, including for PR specialists working in the sector.
Technology is advancing quickly. Consider the not particularly attractive but certainly wearable 3D-printed shoes worn by Education Minister Jet Bussemaker on Prinsjesdag. Major companies are investing millions in artificial intelligence, while many people worry about robots’ influence on society, particularly future employment.
Will technology take over everything? Fortunately, no. As a technology PR professional, I see plenty of work ahead. Communicating the right messages to the right audiences is not something to leave entirely to technology. I was pleased to read research reported by the BBC suggesting an 18 per cent chance of PR professionals being replaced by robots. PR remains people work.
Inger
More news ›