GDPR of Thrones

[Warning: Contains mild spoilers]

Game of Thrones is a television drama set around a fantasy world of 7 Kingdoms.

The storyline revolves around a number of families (houses) who claim a right to the throne and the wars, allegiances and betrayals they face in their battle to reign supreme.

Recently a new threat has arisen from an old enemy, The White Walkers, these frozen zombie like beings are moving south from the frozen north and are only able to do so as ‘winter is coming’. 

Not only does the White Walker army consist of thousands upon thousands of zombie soldiers they can only be destroyed with weapons made from either Dragon Glass or Valyrian Steel, both of which are scarce resources.

However, despite the impending threat of The White Walkers from the north the houses all react differently. For instance House Stark is fully devoted to the cause of preparing for the White Walkers. Where as House Targaryen are focused on a wider set of goals such as voyaging to new shores and House of Lannister are putting absolutely none of their resources towards preparing for the White Walkers. It’s not that they don’t fear their impending doom, it’s just that they are caught up in other ‘projects’ so they can’t focus.

[Tedious GDPR Link Klaxon ??]

I know what you’re thinking “What in the 7 Kingdoms does this have to do with GDPR?” well my patient friends, it’s an analogy. You see in my travels to the north (Nordics) I find businesses who are just like House of Stark in terms of their preparations for GDPR. Nordics businesses seem ready and prepared. 

In the UK it often seems like many businesses are either House Targaryen where they are pretty sure it’s something that’s being looked into, but it’s clearly not a top priority or like House Lannister where they aren’t doing much at all, or in some cases look at me with a puzzled look: “GDPR, what’s that then?”…

Meanwhile, those like House of Stark have been busy doing the three things they need to do to tackle GDPR:

1. Gather enough forces and bright minds (people and departments) together to have the power to tackle GDPR
2. Get ahold of the Valyrian Steel you need to tackle GDPR. This is the technology you already have and the tech you need to be able to efficiently manage your customer data as required.
3. Put Dragon Glass in place throughout your organisation - this is the processes that will tie together the regulation, your people and the technology. 

You need all three to adequately tackle GDPR just like Jon Snow, of House Stark needs all three to tackle the White Walkers.

The main difference I see between the White Walkers and GDPR is that whilst ignoring both will lead to big trouble - if you embrace GDPR and ensure compliance is at the foundation of your customer strategy then you have an opportunity to surpass your competitors by winning favour with consumers. I talk more about that opportunity here.

Winter is coming.