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Good data protection can be cheap and easy, says ICO

By Warwick Ashford

The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) says charities and third sector organisations stand to benefit most from a data protection check-up.

The privacy watchdog offers free day-long advisory visits that give small and medium sized organisations the opportunity to discuss and receive practical advice in the form of a report from the ICO to help improve data protection practices.

With charities often handling sensitive information, such as individuals’ medical details, they are potentially more susceptible to encountering a serious data breach, the ICO said. "With these organisations often lacking the money to employ dedicated information governance staff, there’s a danger that many charities may be struggling to look after people’s data," said Louise Byers, head of good practice at the ICO.

In addition to advisory visits, the ICO has published a guide on the top five areas for improvement to help small and medium sized organisations avoid serious data breaches.  

The guide shows that good data protection practices can be cheap and easy to introduce, providing they have the right help and support, Byers said.

Mishandling sensitive data not only causes individuals serious distress, it can also damage the good name of a charity, said Sam Younger, chief executive of the Charity Commission.

"I encourage trustees of charities that handle sensitive data to take note of the ICO’s guidance and consider taking part in an ICO advisory visit," he said.

The ICO's top five areas for improvement guide covers the main areas for improvement highlighted by previous advisory visits carried out at small and medium sized charities and third sector organisations.

The ICO’s top five areas for improvement are:

08 Aug 2012

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