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Workers 'underestimating' penalties for data breaches

23 April 2010

A significant number of employees in Britain are underestimating the levels of fines their organization could incur for a breach of the Data Protection Act.

This is according to the results of a new survey by Blockmaster Security, which found 42 per cent of 130 Canary Wharf workers polled believed the maximum penalty for such contraventions is less than £100,000.

However, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has received new powers enabling it to levy penalties against the worst violations of up to £500,000.

The research indicates many businesses may be placing themselves at risk of such fines as employees are failing to understand the severity of breaches, with 18 per cent of respondents admitting to having lost a portable device containing information in the past three years.

Anders Pettersson, Blockmaster Chief Security Officer, commented: "Data itself is far more valuable than the cost of a physical device."

He urged companies to implement technology to eliminate the risk of losing sensitive data.

From April 6th, the maximum limit for fines issued by the ICO was raised from £20,000 to £500,000.

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