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back to article Thomas tells CEOs told to sort out data protection

Information Commissioner Richard Thomas called on CEOs to take more responsibility for data security within their organisation - at the same time as he released figures showing that government is still the worst offender for losing personal data. Since November 2007 the ICO has received 277 notifications of breaches - 80 from …

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  1. Jimmy Floyd

    Easy does it

    "Clear thinking and paperwork

    Getting the technology right

    Focussing on people and technology"

    And, may I suggest, "not having the data in the first place if it isn't necessary" - that's always the easiest / safest / most efficient solution.

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  2. Pete James

    Not clear

    'scuse me for probably sounding thick but how many of the public sector breaches were actually private sector firms under contract? I might have missed this but it didn't explain that point to me.

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  3. dervheid

    He's what?

    "He is doubtful that a law to force companies and government departments to notify individuals when their data has been lost."

    WTF does that mean?

    He's doubtful it'll be; effective? enforcable? policeable? practical? WHAT?

    Otherwise, JF's comment "not having the data in the first place if it isn't necessary"is bang on target.

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  4. Tony

    What about number 4?

    "Thomas said there were three aspects to good data protection:

    * Clear thinking and paperwork

    Getting the technology right

    Focussing on people and technology"

    I would suggest that he add a fourth:

    "Not leaving it on the train"

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  5. Sam
    Thumb Down

    ICO

    This would be the same ICO that let phorm off the hook....

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  6. Ted Treen
    Thumb Up

    @Jimmy Floyd

    Well said, Sir. Couldn't have put it better myself.

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  7. David

    ID cards

    Is this the same government that`s pushing ahead with the almost-universally despised identity card scheme? Sounds like the suits need a few lessons on data protection themselves but I agree 100% with Jimmy Floyd - don`t gather the data in the first place. I despair, sometimes. We`re all living on the same planet and don`t the powers-that-be who are actually trying to introduce all this spying (for that`s all it is) legislation realise that they too are also subject to these absurd laws. Don`t they also find them objectionable?

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  8. Anonymous Coward
    Stop

    Do you honestly beleive....

    That private comanies notify the ICO of data losses, do they even know they happen. I have worked in both public and private sector and much as it dissapoints the "down with the man" appraoch, public sectoy try harder on this type of thing. Banks and Finance are regulated, but do you really really think that if some 10 man estate agents somewhere lost you file they go to the ICO? NO. Same for any small business in the uk.

    The govt has to report these things and puts them on nice websites that El Reg and co can scan for thier latest story without having to leave thier desks. I dont support govt data loss, its rubbish, but if you think they are the only ones with a problem then your deluded.

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  9. David
    Black Helicopters

    @ID Cards

    I'd agree with you, except MP's have shown repeatedly that they're NOT going to be subject to snooping laws. Their children aren't going to be on the Child Protection Database, and who remembers the bruhaha a few months ago when an MP had his conversation with a constituent in prison recorded for "The purposes of solving crime"? They didn't like it then and I'm sure there will be more loopholes for them in other legislation that gets passed. The fact that their children won't be on the database is evidence enough that they KNOW how abhorrent their draconian "Social ordering" legislation is, and they don't want to be part of it. After all, they know thet're not terrorists, so all MP's can be trusted, it's just everyone else their not so sure about

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  10. dervheid
    Black Helicopters

    @ David

    What on earth gives you the idea that our NuLabourian overlords will leave themselves subject to the same "absurd laws" as the rest of us?

    NuLabourian Gubbernmental Exclusions all round.

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  11. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    As if CEOs don't have better things to think about

    I think that list comes under things you should do to run a good company.

    The functions of a CEO are:

    1. To have a few gin and tonics with the lads from the city.

    2. To manage their share options

    3. To maximise their bonus.

    4. To maximise payments to their pension fund.

    5. To negotiate the best golden hello and parachute they possibly can.

    6. To have a bit of bubbly at the shareholders meeting.

    7. Set sound bite objectives for their company that impress analysts.

    Don't think IT comes into it at all, isn't that they outsource it all to megacomputing corp. Who needs CIOs, CTOs, DPMs and ITDs.

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  12. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    Lose data, report it and get a fine or jail.

    Keep schtum until someone else notices and you may get away with it.

    So which is the most likely option..

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