Breach the Data Protection Act? You will pay the penalty
Feb 15 2012
Categories: Data Security
Firms will have to deploy effective data management software if they are to meet all of the requirements set out in the Data Protection Act.
The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has spelled out the importance of maintaining details in a secure environment without the risk of a breach.
Its warning comes after it handed out fines to two councils worth a total of £180,000 after they were found to have failed to protect data adequately. This incident is reported just days after the ICO warned councils about managing information following its decision to fine five other authorities.
Croydon Council and Norfolk County Council were served with the penalties after losing documents relating to child sex abuse cases and disclosing details of alleged parental assaults respectively.
"One of the most basic rules when disclosing highly sensitive information is to check and then double check that it is going to the right recipient," explained Stephen Eckersley, head of enforcement at the ICO.
