EU workers have spent the past month mastering secure spreadsheets and two-factor authentication procedures after new regulations around data handling and protection, known as GDPR, came into force at the end of May. But some experts believe organisations could still be caught out — over messy desks.
London-based Barcroft Media, a content production company, is implementing a clear-desk policy as part of GDPR strategies designed to avoid data breaches. Its 50 employees are no longer allowed to leave paperwork lying around. Documents — including notebooks, business cards and jottings — are locked away in drawers overnight.
Tidy desks reduce the risk of personal information falling into the wrong hands and of breaching rules which give greater rights to individuals over how their data are stored and used. Dave Wheels, head of operations at the company, says the newly tidy offices also send a clear message to staff. It reminds them that GDPR has brought “visible and undeniable change”.