As we explore the safe and fair integration of drones with manned aircraft, issues related to data protection and compliance are becoming more and more of an issue. The stakes associated with data breaches are higher than ever, while new regulations like the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) showcase what’s at stake for any drone company that doesn’t take data protection seriously. Infringements of the regulation can result in heavy fines that could cause a company to cease operations.
These stakes are part of the reason that Maria Varela has been specifically studying GDPR and Information Security since 2017. A consultant for more than 25 years with experience in industries that range from utilities to government to insurance to aviation, her passion about process and technology influenced this focus, and it’s also why she founded Smaare Consulting in 2018. The company’s principal goal is to help drone companies be compliant with privacy regulations and protect their business information.
Smaare Consulting can help clients to determine how their critical data is been processed and how they can protect their data. From providing GDPR Gap Analysis to data protection training, Smaare Consulting is dedicated to helping drone companies that are focused on everything from performing inspections with small drones to supporting urban air mobility ecosystems.
Read the interview with Maria to get to know how she creates value for her clients, how GDPR has impacted the way drone companies can operate and much more.
