Topic: Customers data 'needs protection'

[Simon]

Companies and public bodies are not doing enough to protect customers' data, the UK's privacy watchdog and a major survey of security have said.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7359263.stm

[sam]

too damn right! The security used in these companies is a joke - I think the computing industry needs to impose itself on them, as this would not be torelated if you worked for a high tech company (and I'm not talking about broadband "providers")

[mistybear]

This is one of the main reasons that I'm not happy about giving out personal information any more. I felt more secure before my details were kept on computers, and I certainly won't be filling out any more surveys.

[Rik]

What we need is personal accountability, not the firm being fined, but the individuals who are responsible for setting and carrying out data policy. As it stands, the customer or tax payer picks up the tab for any fines, so there is no incentive to take responsibility.

[sam]

sounds like a good idea!

[Simon]

Which is exactly why it will never happen.

[Rik]

In the same way, the banks are now being bailed out by the tax payer, but the managers who took the risks in the interest of profits (and bonuses) are not being held to account, nor is the FSA for its failure to oversee the industry. The establishment used to mean a clique of landed gentry, nowadays it seems to refer to politicians, regulators and commerce. 

[sam]

i can't believe the government is bailing out the banks so easily... I think if they do they should all be bloody nationalised.. though this is probably not a good idea, I just don't want our money being lost.

[Rik]

Well, we're certainly being exposed to high risks by our 'prudent' Govt.

[sam]

at least they are looking after the less fortunate (I'm sure most of you will have read this)... http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7358688.stm 

[Rik]

What really puzzles me, Sam, is that it's taken a year to get noticed. What were all the MPs doing when GB, as Chancellor, announced this?

[sam]

buying a new kitchen.

[Rik]

 

Or, in John Prescott's case, lots of food.

[sam]

Top officials to be held to account for data losses

http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/article3797278.ece

Senior Whitehall figures are to be held personally responsible if their department loses or mishandles personal information, under a range of measures designed to increase data security.

Officials across the public sector, including permanent secretaries and chief executives of NHS trusts, are to be forced to take data protection "much more seriously" under proposals due to be laid out by Gus O'Donnell, the Cabinet Secretary.

In the coming weeks Mr O'Donnell is expected to present the findings of a report on data security. The report was commissioned by the Prime Minister in the wake of the loss of 25 million child benefit claimant records by the HMRC in November.

The Information Commissioner, Richard Thomas, who has seen a draft of the report, said that the new measures focused on "issues of accountability and governance", indicating that the heads of departments would be personally responsible in the event of serious data breaches.

.....

[Simon]

It's about bloody time, but they don't say what the penalties will be to those being 'held accountable'.  Not a lot, I would guess.