19 Jan 2010

Businesses 'regularly lose data'

Companies lose data more often than many people realise, with a new study highlighting this fact.

Research carried out by Kroll Ontrack has shown that almost three-quarters (74 per cent) of businesses have suffered some form of data loss over the last 24 months.

"The way and time taken to recover from data loss not only affects customer confidence, but can also result in high, unforeseen business investments such as lost staff productivity, overtime, diverted resources and delays in responding to other issues," commented Todd Johnson, vice-president of Ontrack Data Recovery operations at Kroll Ontrack.

Elsewhere, justice secretary Jack Straw recently gave his backing to new powers being given to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) in regards to businesses that do not take adequate steps to prevent data loss.

The ICO is to be given powers to fine companies up to £500,000 for a single incident, with calls also being made for custodial sentences to be handed to those who are responsible.