RMT leads the way in data protection revolution

Earlier this year the Government introduced new legislation that gives the Information Commissioner’s Office the power to issue fines of up to £500,000 to businesses that compromise their client data.

Since April this year, companies without adequate procedures and protection have been at risk from potentially critical fines which, for many SMEs, could prove the difference between survival and collapse. However the uptake by businesses to adopt adequate systems has been almost no existent, thus leaving many businesses running the risk of incurring hefty fines.

On the back of the new legislation – that advises the use of specialist encryption software when transferring data such as emails – Newcastle-based RMT has become one of the first firms in the region to adopt these new systems.

The company has agreed a partnership with Egress Software Technologies to use its landmark Egress Switch product to protect its fast-growing band of regional and national clients.

Unlike conventional software which protects data on a company’s network, Switch is able to prevent data loss incidents at the hands of third parties whether it is shared with customers, partners or outsourced, regardless of the format it is stored on.

RMT’s IT Partner Stephen Slater said: “We take our clients’ and our own information security very seriously. The laws are changing, the risks associated are getting larger and non compliance with the rules can lead to hefty fines. We have for a number of years been encrypting client data on laptops and memory sticks, and the logical progression for us was to implement encryption software onto our email system.” Slater continues, “We feel all businesses that deal with personal and confidential client data should be using an encryption system and we hope other firms in our region will follow our lead and take the adequate steps or risk falling foul of the law.”

RMT’s investment into Egress follows a strategic partnership between the software organisation and the International Association of Accountants, Innovation and Technology Consultants (IAAITC).

According to the IAAITC, the ability to share client information securely is the one of the biggest challenges facing the professional services industry.

CEO David Reynolds said: “Living dangerously is no longer an option. Loss of client data can and will result in expensive cleanup costs and irretrievable damage to an organisation’s reputation.” Reynolds continues, “These are the foundations on which our local business communities are built and such severe consequences must now be taken very seriously.”

Using cloud-computing technology, Egress allows businesses to set or change their security policies and manage information even after it is sent or shared.

Recent years have seen RMT become an influential player in the region’s IT sector through its fast-growing technology division and its involvement in a number of major initiatives.

The company regularly hosts events aimed at helping SMEs better understand the technology available to them and improving the way they harness the power of the web, and have recently launched a free resource centre for regional businesses www.rmtresourcecentre.co.uk