Enterprises have been in an ambiguous state as the term we are now all so familiar with, Brexit, has raised questions and concerns. However, no matter the impact of the issues the EU and UK are facing, one thing that will not be shifting is GDPR and compliance remaining a top priority globally. As the traffic across all networks continues to increase, cybersecurity threats have become one of the most universal issues in today’s world. Data breaches, phishing attempts and identity theft only reflect a small glimpse of what all can be considered as a cybersecurity threat, forcing enterprises to face a range of issues to consider as they build out their Unified Communications (UC) networks. GDPR has made such an impact globally because the regulations don’t solely apply to European citizens, but everyone who reaches European citizens. The stiff guidelines of GDPR are driving urgency for enterprises operating in Europe and reaching its citizens to secure UC networks, by equipping themselves with solutions and services that are already compliant through channel partners.
Exactly how big of a splash has GDPR made?
GDPR is, by its very nature, complex and has transformed the way data is handled across every business sector. Making its debut in May of 2018, the regulations reshaped the way organisations manage personal data, affecting everything from rights to access personal data, to data portability and privacy.
GDPR impacts customer data, employee data, voice system data or any other sensitive information existing on any system. This also extends to how the information is stored, where it is stored, how long it is stored and when it is purged--after all, one of the major components of GDPR is “the right to be forgotten.”
What does this mean for the channel?
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Shane Hosey[/caption]
In my opinion, the shift in conversations between the channel and enterprises have evolved from a traditional IT return on investment discussion to “how do we become GDPR compliant as quickly as possible?” Being at risk to face the stiff penalties of violating the regulation could leave a business facing the possibility to be fined up to four percent of its annual global turnover or 20 million Euros, so channel partners recognise the business opportunity and necessity for GDPR to be front and centre. Approaching the first birthday of the regulation, companies are still searching for solutions that are compliant upon purchasing, making the impact for channel partners and solutions significant.
If voice is involved, the discussion includes how and why voice solutions can be compliant with GDPR and how it will save money for enterprises. A report published by Gartner last year stated that by the end of 2018, more than 50 percent of companies subject to GDPR would not be in full compliance, subjecting them to stiff penalties and making the need for the channel to step in apparent.
From a business and sales cycle perspective, providing GDPR compliant solutions combined with the urgency and mandate of the regulatory requirements is shortening sales cycles in a tremendous way.
