“Why though? It could have easily been a £500 million fine!”
In one of the largest GDPR penalties ever issued, British Airways was fined £183 million for a major data breach. It could’ve been worse – under GDPR rules, the maximum fine could have reached £500 million.
But here’s the real question: How prepared is your business to avoid the same fate?
What Went Wrong?
BA’s systems were compromised, exposing the personal data of over 500,000 customers. The ICO ruled that inadequate security controls were to blame – a mistake that cost them dearly in both fines and trust.
Why This Matters to You
You might not be an airline, but GDPR compliance applies to all UK businesses handling customer data. The threat isn’t just legal – it’s financial, operational, and reputational.
FACT: 55% of UK businesses suffered a cyberattack in 2018. Most didn’t even realise it until it was too late.
You Have Two Choices:
- Hope it doesn’t happen to you.
- Proactively secure your business.
Ignoring risks doesn’t make them go away. But addressing them with penetration testing, vulnerability assessments, and robust IT security can save your business from massive penalties and damage.
Don’t Wait for a Wake-Up Call
The BA fine is a warning, not an anomaly. Don’t be “surprised and disappointed” when a preventable attack hits your business.
Is your cyber security strategy up to standard?
Let’s find out together. Book a Free Security Assessment with Total Group
