 |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Return to main newsletter |
|
UK firms
face new £500K data loss fine |
|
As the government introduces a new maximum penalty
for losing data, there has never been a better time
to step up network security and review your current
storage policies. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
UK business owners were given a wakeup
call in April 2010 as tough new penalties for data security
breaches came into force.
Following several high profile cases, the government handed
the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) the power to
fine companies up to £500,000 for serious breaches, which it
hopes will serve as a deterrent.
Businesses
forced to reassess network security
The Information Commissioner may
have
pledged to take a “pragmatic and proportionate” approach to
issuing fines but these new powers will still force
thousands of UK firms to reconsider the way they record,
store and backup confidential customer data.
When serving monetary penalties, the ICO will carefully
consider the circumstances, including the seriousness of the
data breach, the likelihood of substantial damage and
distress to individuals, whether the breach was deliberate
or negligent and what reasonable steps the organisation has
taken to prevent breaches.
|
|
Of course, a whopping £500,000 fine would be
far more than most SME businesses could withstand but many factors will
be taken into account including an organisation’s financial
resources, sector, size and the severity of the data breach, to
ensure that undue financial hardship is not imposed on an
organisation. |
"Getting data protection right has never been more important
than it is today."
Christopher Graham,
Information Commissioner |
|
|
ICO prepared to use tough new sanctions
The ICO welcomed this new addition to
its overall regulatory toolkit, which includes the power to serve an
enforcement notice and the power to prosecute those involved in the
unlawful trade in confidential personal data.
Information Commissioner, Christopher Graham, said: “Getting data
protection right has never been more important than it is today. As
citizens, we are increasingly asked to complete transactions online,
with the state, banks and other organisations using huge databases
to store our personal details. When things go wrong, a security
breach can cause real harm and great distress to thousands of
people.
“These penalties are designed to act as a deterrent and to promote
compliance with the Data Protection Act. I remain committed to
working with voluntary, public and private bodies to help them stick
to the rules and comply with the Act. But I will not hesitate to use
these tough new sanctions for the most serious cases where
organisations disregard the law.”
So there really has never been a better time to review your own
network security and policies regarding the collection, storage and
access of client data. For more information, call us today on
0845 519
0820. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Prevent
data leakage with Webroot.
Download brochure here:
Webroot Email Security SaaS |
|
|
|
|
