Every Aberdeen business is subject to IT compliance requirements – whether they realise it or not.

GDPR, Cyber Essentials, and sector-specific regulations affecting energy, maritime, and professional services firms all demand constant vigilance, and failing to keep up can mean lost contracts, reputational damage, and costly disruption.

This guide breaks down the key IT compliance requirements Aberdeen businesses need to know in 2026 and beyond.

Key Regulatory Requirements for Aberdeen Businesses

UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018
Since Brexit, the UK operates under its own version of GDPR – the UK GDPR – alongside the Data Protection Act 2018 (as amended in 2023). Key obligations include:

• Lawful processing and documentation of all personal data
• Appointing a Data Protection Officer where required
• Conducting Data Protection Impact Assessments for high-risk processing
• Reporting data breaches to the ICO within 72 hours
• Maintaining Records of Processing Activities

The ICO’s enforcement approach has shifted significantly. In 2025, the ICO fined a company £3.07 million for security failings that put the personal information for almost 80,000 people at risk.

From this example alone, the message is clear: Aberdeen businesses handling personal data cannot afford to treat compliance as a tick-box exercise.

Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus
Aberdeen businesses working with public sector organisations or large enterprises increasingly need Cyber Essentials certification as a contract requirement. The scheme covers five key technical controls:

• Boundary firewalls and internet gateways
• Secure configuration
• User access control
• Malware protection
• Patch management

Cyber Essentials Plus, which requires independent verification through hands-on testing, is becoming the expected standard for supply chain and government contract work across the North East.

NIS2 Directive
For larger Aberdeen firms, particularly those in energy and critical infrastructure, the NIS2 Directive introduces enhanced cyber security obligations.

These include risk management measures and incident response planning, supply chain security assessments, mandatory incident reporting within 24 hours, and board-level accountability for cyber security governance.

Businesses that fall within scope need to act now rather than waiting for enforcement deadlines to approach.

Scottish Cyber Resilience Strategy
The Scottish Government’s Cyber Resilience Strategy sets additional expectations for businesses operating in Scotland.

The Scottish Cyber Resilience Centre offers resources and guidance tailored to Scottish businesses, including threat intelligence sharing and awareness training programmes that Aberdeen organisations should be taking advantage of.

Aberdeen-Specific Compliance Considerations

Aberdeen’s economy creates specific compliance demands that many other UK cities do not share. This includes:

1. Oil and gas: Offshore data security requirements mandate strict controls around operational technology data, remote access protocols, and secure communications for offshore installations. The nature of offshore work means data is often transmitted across jurisdictions, adding further complexity.
2. Energy: Critical national infrastructure regulations require enhanced cyber security measures, incident reporting, and regular security audits for energy providers and their supply chains.
3. Maritime: International compliance standards, including IMO maritime cyber risk management guidelines, apply to shipping and port operations across the Aberdeen harbour area.
4. Professional services: Legal firms must meet SRA (Solicitors Regulation Authority) standards, while accountancy practices working under ICAS (Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland) face their own data handling and client confidentiality requirements.

The Numbers Behind the Risk

The 2025 Cyber Security Breaches Survey found that 43% of UK businesses experienced a cyber-attack in the past year, with larger organisations significantly more exposed.

Additionally, the financial impact goes well beyond the immediate cost of an attack when you factor in lost productivity, reputational damage, and the time spent investigating and responding.

Perhaps the most concerning for Aberdeen businesses is the supply chain risk. The vast majority of businesses still do not review the cyber security practices of their immediate suppliers – a significant gap in a city where subcontracting and supply chain relationships are central to how the energy sector operates.

Common Compliance Gaps We See in Aberdeen Businesses

Many Aberdeen businesses believe they are compliant but have significant gaps that create real risk. The most common issues include:

• Inadequate data backup for offshore operations: Remote and offshore teams often lack proper backup protocols, leaving critical data vulnerable to loss or ransomware.
• Missing Cyber Essentials certification blocking contracts: Businesses losing tender opportunities because they cannot demonstrate certified compliance.
• Unclear data retention policies: Holding personal data longer than necessary or without a documented legal basis for doing so.
• Insufficient third-party vendor assessments: Failing to review supplier security arrangements despite heavy reliance on subcontractors.
• No documented incident response procedures: Without a tested plan, businesses face longer recovery times and greater regulatory exposure when breaches occur.

How to Stay Compliant

Managing IT compliance in Aberdeen requires a proactive consultancy approach rather than a one-off audit. Priority actions include:

• Conducting regular compliance assessments against UK GDPR and Cyber Essentials standards
• Documenting all data processing activities and retention policies
• Implementing multi-factor authentication across all systems
• Reviewing third-party and supply chain security arrangements
• Developing and testing a formal incident response plan
• Ensuring board-level oversight of cyber security governance

Get Compliant With Jera IT

At Jera IT, we help businesses across Aberdeen maintain compliance without the complexity. Our team understands the specific challenges facing the city’s key industries and can support your business with:

• IT compliance assessments and gap analysis
• Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus certification support
• Data protection policies and procedures
• Ongoing managed IT support to maintain compliance standards

Contact our Aberdeen office for a compliance assessment today.