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Data protection: are you one of the one-in-five?
11 Sep 2009
Topics: Data protection, BS 10012, ICT, Information security, SME
According to a recent survey of over 500 small- and medium-sized businesses, conducted on behalf of BSI by Opinion Matters/Tickbox.net, almost one in five businesses has unwittingly breached the Data Protection Act (DPA) at least once. The survey was carried out to mark the publication of a new British Standard on data protection: BS10012 Data protection. Specification for a personal information management system. BS 10012 provides a framework for the effective management of personal information. It can be used to create a tailored management system that includes procedures for training and awareness, risk assessment, data sharing, retention and disposal of data and disclosure to third parties.
"The five million small- and medium-sized businesses in the UK form the backbone of the British economy," says Mike Low, director, Standards, BSI. "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, the BSI 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 provides organizations with a framework for maintaining and improving compliance."
For more information, visit: www.bsigroup.com/aug09bs10012
Business Standards © 2010. Editorial produced by Caspian Publishing in association with The British Standards Institution. Editorial opinions expressed on are not necessarily those of BSI Group or Caspian Publishing. Neither Caspian Publishing nor BSI Group accept responsibility for advertising or editorial content, nor for that appearing on linked third-party websites. Reproduction in whole or in part is forbidden without written permission from BSI Group or Caspian Publishing.
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