09 Apr 2010

HSE warned over data security

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has been warned by the data protection commissioner that it must boost data security or face the prospect of heavy sanctions.

A number of high-profile security lapses last year highlighted the need for improved measures in this area by the HSE and as such, the organisation has pledged to make data security a top priority for patient information.

In response, the HSE stated: "This policy, which was issued to all staff in June 2009 and is now being implemented across the organisation, is to ensure that the HSE maintains and ensures ICT security of data protection."

Elsewhere, Stewart Room, a partner at the Privacy and Information Law Group, recently said companies across the UK should take their data security seriously in order to avoid new, stronger fines from the Information Commissioner's Office.

As such, data security should be a top priority for IT professionals in the months and years ahead.