Data Dilemma: One in five businesses admit breaching the Data Protection Act

The survey provides a snapshot of how UK businesses manage the personal information they hold on staff and customers, including sensitive data such as racial or ethnic origin, trade union membership and criminal proceedings. It was carried out to mark the publication of a new British Standard on data protection which will help organizations put in place a framework for maintaining and improving compliance with data protection legislation and good practice.

Survey Results
The survey also found that:

- 65% of businesses provide no data protection training for their staff.
- Nearly half of those surveyed admit that there is no one in their business with specific responsibility for data protection.
- 15% of businesses are not confident that their data sharing practices conform to the DPA and worryingly, almost 5% of these frequently share data regardless.
- 18% of businesses said that data protection is less of a priority in the current economic climate. 
 
Mike Low, Director, Standards, BSI, said: “The five million small and medium sized businesses in the UK form the backbone of the British economy. These organizations are handling vast amounts of personal information on a daily basis and while it is encouraging that some already have appropriate data protection measures in place this survey shows that there is still a long way to go.

“A third of businesses we surveyed stated that the complexity of the legislation restricts their compliance with the DPA. BS 10012 is a new standard, published by BSI today, which addresses this and many other issues, providing organizations with a framework for maintaining and improving compliance.”

Gordon Wanless, Chairman of the Data Protection Forum, said:  “The BSI survey backs up what we have known for some time – that many organizations find the legislation in this area complex. The standard can help organizations put in place the measures which will lead to compliance and demonstrate that they are handling personal information responsibly.

“BS 10012, launched by BSI today, is the first standard of its kind in the area of Data Protection and is expected to be used widely by both public and private sector organizations.”

Protect and maintain

The new British Standard, BS10012, Data protection – Specification for a personal information management system has been developed to establish best practice and aid compliance with data protection legislation.  It is the first standard for the management of personal information.

Rather than prescribing exactly how operations should be run, BS 10012 provides the framework which will enable effective management of personal information.  It can be used by organizations of any size and sector to create a tailored management system which includes procedures in areas such as training and awareness, risk assessment, data sharing, retention and disposal of data and disclosure to third parties.   

BS 10012, was developed by a panel of experts including representatives from industry, government, academia and consumer groups. A three month public comment period produced a high number of comments all of which were considered by the panel before preparation of the final version of the standard.

BS 10012 is launched on Tuesday 2 June at the Data Protection Forum in London.

For media enquiries please contact Lucy Fulton on 020 8996 7248.

- ENDS -

Notes to Editors

• This survey was conducted on behalf of BSI by Opinion Matters/ Tickbox.net between 11/05/2009 and 18/05/2009 amongst a nationally representative sample of 516 senior decision makers in SMEs.
• For further information on BS 10012 visit www.bsigroup.com/BS10012
• BSI is running a conference on Information Governance & Data Protection on 30 June 2009. For more information visit www.bsigroup.com/conferences 

For media information:
Lucy Fulton
Public Relations Officer, BSI
Tel: +44 (0)20 8996 7248
Mob: +44 (0)7717 451990
Email: lucy.fulton@bsigroup.com
Website: www.bsigroup.com

About BSI
BSI is a global independent business services organization that inspires confidence and delivers assurance to over 80,000 customers with standards-based solutions. Originating as the world’s first national standards body, BSI has over 2,400 staff operating in over 120 countries through more than 50 global offices. BSI’s key offerings are:

• The development and sale of private, national and international standards and supporting information that promote and share best practice
• Second and third-party management systems assessment and certification in all critical areas of management disciplines
• Testing and certification of services and products for Kitemark and CE marking to UK, European and International standards. BSI is a Notified Body for 17 New Approach EU Directives
• Certification of high-risk, complex medical devices
• Performance management software solutions
• Training services in support of standards implementation and business best practice.

For further information please visit www.bsigroup.com

About the Data Protection Forum
The Data Protection Forum provides a focus for the collection, formulation, exchange and communication of ideas and information on data protection, freedom of information and related topics.

The Data Protection Forum is an association of over 270 members from more than 120 public and private sector companies and organisations. These encompass financial services, retail, law, accountancy, consultancy, marketing, travel and insurance from the private sector, as well as charities and public sector organisations such as the police, local authorities, central government, health and universities.

For further information please visit www.dpforum.org.uk