PR & Media Centre

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26/09/2007

Intellect launches working group on data breach notification

Intellect is launching a working group to examine the viability of data breach notification law in the UK and the potential impact it will have on businesses. The group will lead Intellect's campaign that looks to raise the profile of data breach as a business issue and the serious implications that it will have on our economy if it continues unchecked.

Barbara Navarro, chair of the data breach notification working group, comments: "Our economy is dependent upon the use of information. Unless we move to ensure the underlying infrastructure supporting all this data is secure, we will undermine consumer and business confidence, which will in turn damage our economy. Most consumers and businesses are not in the habit of treating personal information as an asset but they should be. Data breach notification could be one way of helping businesses to behave more responsibly towards data, but is unlikely to be sufficient by itself."

The working group will seek to work with government and stakeholders to find practical solutions for dealing with data breaches and how best to protect customers. It will also discuss the impact and cost data breaches have on businesses and on the technology industry as a whole and plans to work with employers to raise the level of importance their staff and their corporate processes place on safeguarding personal data. Specific goals of the group will be decided at the first meeting of the group on 12 November.

Earlier this month, Intellect organised a roundtable discussion on this topic with representatives from the House of Lords, the Information Commissioner's Office, The Metropolitan Police, legal firms and IT vendors.

Intellect is also conducting a survey among members of attitudes towards data breach notification. Results so far indicate that just over half of the UK technology industry feels that data breach notification should be legislated for and a similar amount want to see the creation of a regulatory body for data breaches.

Do you agree with the results? Make sure your voice is heard. Take part in the survey (members only)

For more information on the data breach notification working group visit www.intellectuk.org/databreach

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