Just 15% of Irish firms ‘fully compliant’ with GDPR
Many companies are struggling to achieve full compliance with the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) rules, according to a recent survey conducted by Ipsos B&A on behalf of Forvis Mazars and McCann Fitzgerald. Only 15% of businesses have reported being fully compliant, with 58% considering themselves ‘materially compliant’ and 25% ‘somewhat compliant’. Despite an increasing awareness of the risks associated with non-compliance, such as higher fines and reputational damage, a significant number of firms are still not meeting the required standards.
The survey highlights a growing concern among businesses regarding GDPR non-compliance, with 82% of respondents acknowledging the increasing risks involved. Nearly 60% of companies are particularly worried about facing fines, while others are apprehensive about the potential damage to their reputation in the event of a data breach. As a response to these concerns, 81% of the surveyed firms have expressed their intention to enhance their GDPR compliance measures. However, companies are also grappling with additional regulatory challenges beyond GDPR, including new digital legislation such as the AI Act, the Digital Services Act, the Network and Information Security Directive 2 (NIS2), and the Cyber Resilience Act, with many unsure of how these regulations will impact their operations.
The survey results indicate a pressing need for businesses to prioritize GDPR compliance and address the evolving landscape of data protection regulations. With the majority of companies recognizing the risks associated with non-compliance and expressing a commitment to improving their practices, it is essential for organizations to proactively adapt to the changing regulatory environment to safeguard their data and mitigate potential risks effectively.
Source: Just 15% of Irish firms ‘fully compliant’ with GDPR
