Data Protection Trends in Small and Medium Enterprises

This report presents findings from a survey conducted among 600 executives from Germany, France, and the UK regarding data protection in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The survey indicates that British companies are leading in data protection, with 76.5 percent of executives affirming their data protection measures are up to date. The report also highlights the employment of data protection officers, with 79.5 percent of British SMEs employing one, either internally or outsourced. Furthermore, it notes that 63 percent of SMEs utilize consent management platforms to manage customer data consent. Despite the positive outlook, the report reveals a level of skepticism among managers, with 30 percent perceiving data protection regulations as a threat to their business models. The trend towards first-party data usage is noted, with 68 percent of respondents indicating a preference for this approach. The document outlines the varying attitudes towards data protection across different regions, particularly emphasizing the cautious stance of French companies compared to their UK and German counterparts.