GDPR UK
UK regulation for personal data protection compliance
NERC CIP
Mandatory standards for BES cybersecurity and reliability.
Quick Verdict
GDPR UK mandates personal data protection across all UK-handling organizations with ICO fines up to 4% turnover, while NERC CIP enforces BES cybersecurity for electric utilities via FERC audits and penalties, ensuring grid reliability.
GDPR UK
UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR)
Key Features
- Accountability principle requires demonstrable compliance evidence
- Fines up to 4% worldwide annual turnover
- Seven core enforceable data processing principles
- Extra-territorial scope targets UK individuals
- Risk-based DPIAs for high-risk processing
NERC CIP
NERC Critical Infrastructure Protection Reliability Standards
Key Features
- Risk-based BES Cyber System impact categorization
- Mandatory 35-day patch evaluation cadence
- Electronic and physical security perimeters
- Annual audits with FERC enforcement penalties
- Supply chain risk management requirements
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
GDPR UK Details
What It Is
UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) is the UK's post-Brexit data protection law, adapting EU GDPR with the Data Protection Act 2018. It is a binding regulation enforcing personal data processing for UK-established or UK-targeting organizations. Primary purpose: protect individuals' rights via risk-based, accountability-focused approach with seven core principles.
Key Components
- Seven principles: lawfulness, purpose limitation, minimisation, accuracy, storage limitation, security, accountability.
- Individual rights (access, erasure, portability); controller/processor obligations; DPIAs; breach notifications.
- No certification; compliance via demonstrable records (RoPA), contracts, audits enforced by ICO.
Why Organizations Use It
- Mandatory for legal compliance; fines up to £17.5M or 4% global turnover.
- Reduces breach risks, builds trust, enables cross-border operations.
- Strategic: enhances reputation, efficiency via data governance.
Implementation Overview
- Phased: governance, mapping (RoPA), policies, DPIAs, security, rights handling, audits.
- Applies to all sizes handling UK personal data; ICO enforcement, no formal certification.
NERC CIP Details
What It Is
NERC Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) Reliability Standards are mandatory cybersecurity and physical security regulations developed by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC). They protect the Bulk Electric System (BES) against compromises leading to misoperation or instability. The approach is risk-based and tiered by impact levels (High, Medium, Low).
Key Components
- Core standards: CIP-002 to CIP-014 covering scoping, governance, personnel, perimeters, system security, incident response, recovery, and supply chain.
- 13+ standards with requirements like 35-day patching cycles and annual audits.
- Built on BES Cyber System categorization and evidence retention for 3 years.
- Compliance via audits by NERC Regional Entities and FERC enforcement.
Why Organizations Use It
- Legal mandate for BES owners/operators with multimillion-dollar penalties.
- Mitigates cyber-physical risks, ensures grid reliability.
- Builds resilience, lowers insurance costs, enhances stakeholder trust.
Implementation Overview
- Phased: scoping, gap analysis, controls, testing, audits.
- Applies to utilities in US, Canada, Mexico.
- Requires CIP Senior Manager, recurring reviews, automation for cadences.
Key Differences
| Aspect | GDPR UK | NERC CIP |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Personal data processing principles, rights, security | BES cyber systems protection, reliability controls |
| Industry | All sectors handling UK personal data | Electric utilities, Bulk Electric System operators |
| Nature | Mandatory data protection regulation | Mandatory reliability cybersecurity standards |
| Testing | DPIAs for high-risk, ICO audits | Annual audits, 15/35-day monitoring cycles |
| Penalties | £17.5M or 4% global turnover fines | FERC fines up to $1M per violation |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about GDPR UK and NERC CIP
GDPR UK FAQ
NERC CIP FAQ
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