SMEs: Definition

It is the acronym for small and medium-sized companies, accounting for 98% of the total business. We can say that they are the real engine of our country and a significant generator of wealth and employment. When defining, we must consider two factors: the amount of money they bill each year and the number of employees they have.

According to Turnover: A small company has a turnover of equal to or less than 10 million euros per year. On the other hand, a medium-sized company is one whose turnover does not exceed 50 million euros per year. 

According to the Number of Employees: A small company does not have more than 50 workers, while a medium-sized company does not exceed 250 employees. It is also necessary to point out that there is a new business model that is the one that corresponds to companies that have up to 5 workers. In this case, we are talking about microenterprises.

SMEs in Numbers

There are inadequate facilities when undertaking or launching any business activity, and the costs are always too high. However, this does not impede having managed to weave extensive network employment.

In 2021, according to the Ministry of Industry, Tourism, and Trade records, there were 3,361,898 SMEs. Of these, 81.9% carry out their activity in the services sector, and within this, 21% correspond to commerce. 

It should be noted that, in 2020, a disastrous year for the economy due to the pandemic, 321,749 companies began their economic activity, and 366,548 ceased their activity during the same year. That is, there was a more significant number of discharges than discharges.

SME Challenges

In addition to the well-known difficulties encountered by SMEs in our country, we should also note that it is usually more difficult for them to obtain financing, much more so than for a large company, which usually has more alternatives to bank financing. 

Competing with large corporations, which invest millions in all their key areas, is one of the main challenges faced by SMEs. In the same way, competing in terms of production costs is the main obstacle for an SME compared to a large company.

On the contrary, smaller companies make it easier for them to change their business model and adapt to what customers demand. 

Also, the relationship with customers is much closer, and they usually reward you by building loyalty in the relationship. Therefore, SMEs will continue to be the economy’s main engine despite all the difficulties.

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We define the LOPD as the rules that regulate the treatment we must have regarding personal data (national identity document, telephone number, address, bank account, etc.) that we may have at our disposal about other people. 

Although this does not mean that we are safe from being sanctioned with these actions, we must be very attentive to any modification in the legislation adapt and comply with the requirements as quickly as possible.

Below we explain the treatment that we must grant to protect SMEs data. The first thing we should know is that the LOPD classifies data security at different levels:

Basic: these are merely identifying data (name, marital status, sex, etc.)

Medium: Contains somewhat more sensitive information than in the previous level; it refers to the subject’s heritage, personality, criminal record, etc.

High: Reflects data on ideology, beliefs, race, sexuality, etc. This level is oriented to the intrinsic characteristics of the person.

After that, you must notify and update them in the AEPD, whose access to the files can be done from its page. 

In addition, if we have medium and high-level data, we are obliged to designate a security officer to coordinate and control it. 

Failure to carry out these actions, not having a security document and keeping it up to date may lead to a severe or severe infraction, which can rise to 600,000 euros.

On the other hand, we have to be aware that it is not only enough to have computer security measures (antimalware, antivirus, quality servers, etc.) and correct electronic data processing, but also physical measures, however obvious they may seem. (files with restricted access, furniture with locks, access log, etc.).

Likewise, it will be convenient for us to pay the same attention and rigour when we have a web page, making visible the cookie policy, legal notices, privacy when we collect data from users, and not asking for unnecessary information unrelated to the activity that is being carried out. 

For all this, it is vital to have expert professional services in the field, although this does not exempt us from complying and keeping up with our obligations since it would save us time and headaches.

Having the proper data protection for SMEs, for our small or medium-sized companies, is of vital importance and, in addition, it is possible to enjoy this service for free. We all have the following tools at our disposal for free, from the public website itself:

Evaluate 

It makes it easier for us to carry out an internal audit to find out if we comply with the Data Protection law, ensuring its anonymity so that in case of non-compliance, we cannot be fined. 

After carrying out a small test, it provides us with a report with the measures to solve the deficiencies. We must conduct our audit at least every two years.

Form Note

This tool allows us to modify and delete files in the AEPD, filling in and sending the forms online or correspondence. When entering the web, we must select and mark private ownership.

Model Guide

Preparing security documents helps us download a security document model. We only have to fill in our data referring to security measures, accessing the AEPD website.

Free software to comply with the LOPD

It allows us to comply with the requirements of said law. There are several, depending on our needs:

• Software for implementing security measures to allow access to different programs, the Internet, request passwords, etc. All this is to guarantee the LOPD.
• Software for encryption and decryption of USB drives. 
• Software for updating security documents, allowing them to be modified and forwarded to the AGPD.
• The software allows us to make backup copies of data stored on different devices or programs.

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