S.H.I.E.L.D. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q) What is Transition Law S.H.I.E.L.D?
A) Transition Law S.H.I.E.L.D is a Business Support and Consumer Protection Program designed to highlight the need for good Data Protection practices within businesses both large and small.
S.H.I.E.L.D. has the following aims:
i) To Promote good Data Protection practice and generate a 'Culture of Compliance' within Businesses.
ii) Provide a database of compliant businesses for people to check, whether they intend to do business with them
or purchase their products and services
iii) Create an easily recognisable emblem so the public knows which organisations have been awarded S.H.I.E.L.D. Holder status.
Q) What does S.H.I.E.L.D mean?
A) It stands for Supporting Home & Independent Enterprises Lawfully Documented.
Q) Who is Transition Law?
A) Transition Law is an established Paralegal Law firm providing Data Protection and SME Business Legal advice to clients Nationwide.
Q) How does S.H.I.E.L.D. support Businesses?
A) Qualifying businesses benefit in 3 distinct ways:
i) They can display the S.H.I.E.L.D emblem on their website to alert consumers to their compliant status.
ii) They can advertise their membership when tendering or applying for contracts and business.
iii) They can demonstrate their compliance when asked to do so by their Customers, Suppliers or Employees.
Q) How does S.H.I.E.L.D. support Consumers?
A) Data Protection law is complex. Following several, well publicised recent scandals involving consumer's personal data, Transition Law decided to create an Online Consumer Protection Portal providing a straightforward way for consumers to tell if the businesses they have chosen to deal with, have systems to protect their personal data.
The public can search for the name of a business on the S.H.I.E.L.D. website. Each member has their own verification page, to which they can link their own website, E-Mails etc.
Q) Why should I care if a business is compliant?
A) The Data Protection Laws apply to EVERY business and should concern EVERY person. When a business fails to properly protect the personal data in their care, it can lead to very serious consequences for the Data Subject, including Identity Theft, Fraudulent financial losses, Online trolling and personal humiliation.
Consumers have learned the hard way to question the Data Protection protocols of firms they intend to deal with. If the firm has been awarded S.H.I.E.L.D. Holder status, it takes the anxiety out of the process for consumers.
Q) Can any business Join the S.H.I.E.L.D. Program?
A) YES! As long as a business can satisfy the membership criteria, they can join and it's FREE to do so.
Q) What are the membership criteria?
A) To be considered for S.H.I.E.L.D. membership a business must demonstrate compliance in 3 ways:
i) They must be registered with the UK Information Commissioners Office. (Unless exempt from registration)
ii) They must have written data protection policies covering the processing of personal data within their business.
iii) They must have a compliant Privacy Policy displayed on their website.
iv) Full details of assessment criteria available to download HERE
Q) What is GDPR?
A) GDPR stands for the General Data Protection Regulations. The rules went live on 25th May 2018 and are supplemented by the UK Data Protection Act 2018. They apply businesses of all sizes, including charities, churches Membership clubs and any other organisations that process Personal Data.
Q) What type of businesses are covered by GDPR
A) Every type! A business might be a 'one man band' operating out of a small shop (or even someone's home). There are many self employed people who are 'in business' for themselves, such as self employed sales people, Franchisees, Home workers etc right up through Partnerships, Limited Companies and large organisations. The rules apply to anyone who 'Processes' Personal Data.
Q) What is the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO)
A) The ICO is the UK's independent body set up to uphold information rights. They are responsible for enforcing Data Protection Law including determining fines and prosecutions of UK businesses.
Q) How much does it cost to be a member of S.H.I.E.L.D?
A) Membership is Free of Charge. All Transition Law clients receive membership as part of their compliance instructions. Other compliant businesses are assessed against our standard criteria. NB: The assessment is FREE.