Since GDPR's introduction in 2018, UK manufacturers have faced stricter data rules. With so much information collected and stored and tighter regulations on what you can do with it, it is important to know how to choose the right policy management and risk scoring software to stay secure.
Key takeaways
- Policy management is easier with tools such as Policy Hub, as you can reevaluate what you have, see if there are improvements to make, and ensure everyone knows their responsibilities.
- Risk scoring software enables you to identify potential risks around your business and determine what is urgent and what can wait.
- Risk scoring allows you to manage risks and stay GDPR compliant.
How to select compliance software for manufacturing firms
- How is personal data used in manufacturing?
- Why is policy management important?
- How do you select a policy management tool?
- What is risk scoring?
- How do you implement risk scoring software?
- FAQs about risk scoring and compliance
Our short guide explains what to consider when using personal data and how implementing risk scoring software can help ensure you meet GDPR requirements.
How is personal data used in manufacturing?
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The manufacturing industry can be a hazardous place to work. From extreme temperatures to heavy machinery, Health and Safety risk assessments are an essential part of daily life. But it’s not just physical injuries that pose a risk to workers.
Conducting risk assessments for customers’ personal data is just as important as identifying potential safety issues.The more data you have, the quicker you can get insights and spot trends, which makes all the difference in a competitive industry, such as manufacturing.
Why is policy management important?
Data management is one of the main reasons having up-to-date systems and policies in place is so important. They make robust risk management easier and ensure that your most sensitive information is kept safe. Policy management adds an additional layer of defence by making sure personal data is only accessed and used in ways your customers are happy with.
Company policies: taking stock of what you already have
When working in an industry as diverse and complex as manufacturing, it can mean multiple policies and systems are stacked on top of each other.
For manufacturing, you want to make sure policies like Sales and Order Processing, Customer Complaints, Marketing and others are as secure as possible. It’s vital that these policies don’t overlap unnecessarily, as that’s where gaps in security can appear.
How do you select a policy management tool?
Take a closer look at what your policies are doing. Are there ways to simplify things? Can you reorganise sections to close gaps where potential issues could creep in?
Some key considerations when choosing policy management software include:
- Can the policy management software make compliance audits easier?
Having audit trails, version controls, and more at your fingertips saves time and reduces risks during inspections. - Does it offer automated workflows and acknowledgement tracking?
Replacing manual processes can speed up activities and ensure timely updates to reduce risk. With Policy Hub, employees can formally attest they have read a policy, and if they decline, administrators are automatically notified. This feature strengthens accountability and ensures compliance tracking is proactive rather than reactive. - How accessible and easy is it to integrate with other systems?
Offering employees better access means important information can be read almost anytime, anywhere, on any device. - Does the software allow you to create audience grouping / role-/department-based policy assignment?
Policies could be assigned based on job role, department, etc. This is critical for manufacturing, where different teams (shop floor, logistics, R&D, management) have very different exposures.
At Skillcast, our online policy management tool (Policy Hub) provides a complete, cost-effective approach to managing your policies. You can create, update, approve and share information across the organisation while fully complying with UK and international laws and regulations.
Our Artificial Intelligence Digital Assistant (Aida) allows employees to ask questions and receive instant, context-aware answers, without needing to sift through entire policies. This makes it easier to stay engaged and work more efficiently.
Skillcast's Aida can also leverage predictive analytics via dashboard reports that track trends in learners' questions. This insight allows compliance teams to update policies, assign additional training, or address knowledge gaps proactively, making the system not just reactive but anticipatory.
Case Study: Policy Hub reduces the manual burden
Skillcast's Policy Hub significantly enhanced Bespoke Facilities Management Limited's (BFML) compliance operations by automating the distribution and tracking of over 300 essential documents. Prior to implementation, BFML relied on spreadsheets, leading to administrative challenges and potential errors.
Policy Hub streamlined document assignment, ensured timely updates, and provided real-time reporting on employee attestations. This bolstered the company's compliance, risk, and governance management.
Quick statPolicy Hub's automation resulted in an annual saving of approximately 390 working hours, equating to one full day per week. |
What is risk scoring?
Risk scoring is a great way to evaluate what’s going on around your business. Collecting data from different areas and taking a closer look at what’s working and what needs more attention. But with so much data at your fingertips, understanding the data and what to concentrate on can be overwhelming.
Risk scoring makes it easier to prioritise and set your company up for success. It also ensures that everyone understands their own responsibilities under these scoring systems.
Why this mattersRisk scoring helps translate qualitative aspects of your business into measurable data to help with better decision-making. |
How do you implement risk scoring software?
Have a look around your business and see what works for you. How secure is your customer's personal data? How many cyberattack attempts have you encountered this quarter? How do you currently measure risks?
Some key considerations when introducing risk scoring and staying GDPR compliant:
- How accurate and current is your data?
You need to start with clean, quality data to get the best out of your risk scoring software. More detailed information that’s updated regularly will provide more accurate scores. - Can it easily integrate with your existing systems and workflows?
The better your risk software can work with your current software, the more accurate your results will be. - Does it offer visual reporting tools?
Getting results is one thing, but being able to see them easily can help you prioritise and take action much more quickly. And communicate with senior leaders on what steps to take next.
At Skillcast, our Risk Management courses take you through everything you need to know about mitigating risks and how you can track them.
FAQs about risk scoring and compliance
Why is risk scoring important for my business?
Identifying potential risks around your business is not enough. Tracking how your company manages them helps you implement policies to prevent them. The best way to get started is with a risk scoring matrix.
What is a risk scoring matrix?
A risk scoring matrix helps identify the level of risk for specific activities, such as personal data. By measuring the likelihood of something happening against how serious the consequences would be, it helps you see which areas to focus on. And what policies or procedures to put in place.
What are policies and procedures?
These are agreed activities and steps to take when addressing specific situations. They may be put in place to prevent something from happening or provide clear instructions on what to do next when something has already started to happen.
Want to learn more about risk and policy management?
Our Essentials Library contains e-learning content designed to help organisations meet fundamental compliance requirements. If you are looking for focused training, our Risk Management Training Package offers a complete solution for your compliance programme. Courses in the libraries include:
- Business Continuity Management Training Course
- Operational Risk Training Course
- Third-party Risk Training Course
Our Policy Hub allows for policy and procedure management from one place. If you would like to access leading insights and compliance tips, you can browse our free resources by topic to find guides, modules, compliance bites and more.
Further reading and resources
Written by: Gareth Jones
Gareth is a copywriter with a background in B2B marketing and internal communications, and has been helping companies tell their stories for over 13 years. From cybersecurity to AI automation, he unravels the complex so readers can better understand how things work. He enjoys getting to know how tech, systems and processes function in the real world, so others can learn more about them and how they can benefit.
