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FAST IiS: Information Commissioner Talks Tough, But Government Officials Choke
Nov 19, 2008 (M2 PRESSWIRE via COMTEX) --
The recent news that personal financial details were listed on the hard drive of a computer sold on eBay is one of a long list of reported incidents in recent months which has bought to light concerns over data integrity and data leakage in government and business.
Information relating to credit card applications made by millions of customers, including account details, signatures, mobile phone numbers and family details, were contained on the computer. This incident follows a number of high profile cases, such as the recent case at the Child Benefit Service where records on over 25 million families were lost.
Julian Heathcote Hobbins, General Counsel at FAST IiS explains, "Unfortunately, breaches of IT and data systems are clearly a growing problem, the gravity of which cannot be underestimated. Lack of security loses business, damages reputations and causes understandable concern amongst customers.
"It isn't surprising that the Information Commissioner recently called for new measures to encourage responsibility for those responsible for data security."
This summer the Ministry of Justice issued a consultation to stakeholders entitled 'The Information Commissioner's inspection powers and funding arrangements under the Data Protection Act 1998'.
In its role representing the software industry, FAST IiS has a clear interest in ensuring that the Information Commissioner's inspection powers and funding arrangements are fit for purpose. Any material shortcomings in these will have a detrimental effect on ensuring that organisations comply with their data protection obligations.
Julian continues, "We consider that effective enforcement is dependent upon the Information Commissioner being properly able to carry out necessary investigations and inspections, so that regulatory failures can be identified and remedied. FAST IiS supports the recommendations giving organisations the chance to consent to good practice assessments, as we believe that this is the ideal starting point.
"However, given the number of security failures that have occurred in the last two years effective powers need to be implemented to allow for compulsory inspections where consent is not given. If organisations are unwilling to work to secure compliance, they should have a threat of more stringent action hanging over them, or in our experience the compliance risk is negligible and compliance is unlikely."
Public confidence in how personal data is protected is essential for the IT industry. FAST IiS supports a statutory code of practice that would promote openness in organisations that use and share personal information seeing this as a complement to the principles set out in the Data Protection Act of 1998.
"If only software compliance were treated this seriously," Julian concludes, "then we wouldn't have piracy running at 26% of all software in use in business in the UK, and consequently more jobs in the industry, safer computing networks, more tax revenue for the government and improved services for all."
About FAST IiS
In September 2008 the Federation Against Software Theft and Investors in Software joined forces to deliver a distilled, simplified and unified view of software asset management (SAM) and software licence management (SLM) best practice to the end user community. The strength of the two reputable brands encapsulates a holistic approach to driving the professional use of software across the industry and the globe. The Federation Against Software Theft was formed in 1984 making it the world's first software anti-piracy organisation. The organisation is not-for-profit limited by guarantee and wholly owned by its members, and works on many fronts to promote the legitimate use of software and protect its members' rights through education, enforcement, lobbying and promoting standards and best practice in business.
CONTACT: Richard Merrin, Spreckley Partners Limited
Tel: +44 (0)20 7388 9988
e-mail: merrin@spreckley.co.uk
Jared Foley, Spreckley Partners Ltd
Tel: +44 (0)20 7388 9988
e-mail: foley@spreckley.co.uk
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