Data is the new currency - ubiquitous, valuable and in high demand. Organisations of all sizes are handling and processing data all the time while striving to keep it safe from attack and misuse. And this is their legal responsibility.
Commercial law firm, Muckle LLP, looks at why a robust training programme is crucial to the mix and how the right training keeps you a step ahead.
Virtually every organisation handles data multiple times a day – processing or managing it with a suite of software solutions. The risk of staff inadvertently leaking or mishandling data is significant. Add to this the growing volume of data requests and the increasing number of attacks from sophisticated AI agents or bots and it’s a perfect storm.
But it doesn’t have to be this way. With the right training, you can help protect your organisation, your employees and customer data, while ensuring compliance with regulations at every stage. When a minor slip-up could have devastating consequences, it pays to train.
Here are five top reasons why:
Reason 1 – It’s complicated!
Organisations use and process data in a host of different ways. They might be acting in multiple capacities or with different software suites, and this is where things get complicated. The law makes numerous demands on organisations depending on how they handle data – and they must ensure absolute compliance at every stage.
This is further complicated when data is transferred internationally. The organisation is responsible for doing the right checks and making sure any data transferred overseas is handled in the right way in line with UK law.
Reason 2 – Changing, challenging tech
Smarter tech helps staff manage and process data requests, but it is also part of the problem. Advancements in AI have resulted in automatically generated requests flooding organisations. As these are frequently peppered with mistakes, staff face a substantial volume of new work and must process more data faster than ever.
Reason 3 – It’s the law
Businesses can’t pick and choose which pieces of data legislation to adhere to. The rules can be complex, but compliance is non-negotiable, and falling foul of regulations can lead to hefty fines.
Alex Craig, partner and head of commercial at Muckle, says, “With technology changing all the time, organisations are keen to keep pace. But they must also ensure compliance with the law and regulations at every stage.
“For this reason, it’s crucial companies don’t see data protection training as a simple box-ticking exercise, done and dusted after a single training course.”
Reason 4 – People make mistakes
Over 60% of data breaches are down to human error, according to a report from Verizon Data Breach Investigations. It’s easy to input the wrong email and share sensitive information or inadvertently click on a link and expose your system to a digital attack.
Training can teach your staff how to spot risks and mitigate them early.
And if the worst happens and the company does suffer a data breach, training can teach your staff to manage the event and significantly reduce its impact.
Alex says, “Your staff are your first and last line of defence. By giving them the right skills, you create a more secure system in-house, reducing your reliance on potentially costly external third-party providers.”
Reason 5 – Cyber threat
High-profile ransomware attacks are becoming a regular occurrence driven by the huge advancement in AI and bot technology. According to Government data, around 19,000 UK businesses were affected by ransomware in 2025 with 4.4 million user records exposed in the UK during Q4 2024.
“Our suite of training solutions can really help,” says Alex. “Companies need peace of mind in the face of potentially existential threats. By investing in proper and regular training for staff, they can be confident they have complied with the law and done their utmost to protect business assets.”
No train, no gain
The scale of an organisation’s legal responsibilities, along with the threat to data, can seem daunting in the extreme. But the problem is easily rectified. By investing in regular staff training, your employees gain the skills and the confidence to handle data correctly. You keep valuable personal and company data safe and secure, you remain compliant and you never fall foul of the rules.
For more information on Muckle data protection courses and upcoming events, please visit: www.muckle-llp.com/events
