Fleet industry is not prepared for new GDPR data rules, warns Fleet Operations

Many businesses within the fleet industry are underprepared for the introduction of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) rules on May 25, warns Fleet Operations.

GDPR requires businesses to comply with a new set of rules designed to safeguard personal data, and the outsourced fleet management services provider says one of the most significant changes means that organisations will now take responsibility for data protection breaches at any point within the supply chain.

This puts fleet suppliers and operators at particularly high risk due to the large amount of personal data transactions that occur within the fleet supply chain.

Brian Hardwick, head of operations at Fleet Operations, said: “From our experience, it appears many organisations still have not assessed the full impact of the GDPR and taken the requisite action to ensure they will be compliant.

"There exists a perception that this is a minor adjustment when, in fact, businesses need to assess their entire supply chain to ensure each link is secure.

“As a starting point, it is vital for organisations to map all data flows across the business, which means documenting all data coming in and going out, as well as the various organisations or individuals that process information at each point in the supply chain.

"Contracts must now be in place between the data controller and data processor in each of these data transactions covering all the requisite details outlined by the GDPR.”

The maximum fine for failing to comply with the new regulations is set at 20 million Euros or 4% of turnover, whichever is greater.

Hardwick added: “It is not sufficient for an organisation to simply hand all responsibility for the GDPR to a designated data controller – everyone should bear some of the burden.

"There are obvious data streams, such as payroll, but there are less obvious ones that include everyday emails. In this context, a breach could occur due to something as simple as copying someone into an email thread that contains data they do not have consent to view.

“That’s why it is important to communicate the new regulation – and the steps you are taking to address it – very clearly to all staff and put data protection at the centre of your organisational culture.”