Britons feel private data at risk

Some 60 per cent of British people feel their personal information is at risk, according to research from security firm Symantec.

The government has been under the spotlight on data security lately following a massive breach by the HM Revenue and Customs, and another disclosed yesterday by the Driver and Vehicle Agency in Northern Ireland. Despite this, the survey of 1,000 people showed that government and the private sector are of equal concern.

Brendan Kelly, director of professional services, said: "People don't believe government departments keep data in a safe and secure manner... but consumers don't believe that corporations take greater measures than government. "

"A consumer shares personal data with corporations as much or more than the government... people tend to believe companies won't be any more secure than HMRC," he added.

The study also found that half of respondents were afraid of becoming a victim of identity theft of online fraud.

No surprise then, that 46 per cent of those polled said they would like to see tighter legislation in place, especially when it comes to disclosure of data breaches.

"To dictate what companies can do... but also what companies need to do if that data is compromised or goes missing," explained Kelly.

Kelly said the UK is following a similar cycle as that which happened in California four years ago, just before that US state implemented data breach disclosure legislation. Media coverage around big breaches will help push such legislation forward, he said. "When it will happen is tough to say, but the survey indicated that people want this in place."

Symantec called on organisations to set up a standard of practices for data management, where they assess risks, identify confidential information, use policies and technologies to protect it, communicate to create a compliance culture, integrate information protection into business procedures and hold stakeholders accountable.

Kelly said organisations tend to fail on two of those points. "What we find is companies don't always know were the risk is coming from," he said, explaining that firms will spend money on securing data and holding it in one place, but then allow easy access for staff. He added: "They don't have technology in place to ensure policies are followed."

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