The ICO published its top five areas for improvement for small and medium sized organisations. Charities and third sector organisations stand to benefit from a data protection ‘check up’.
With charities often handling sensitive information, such as individuals’ medical details, they are potentially more susceptible to encountering a serious data breach. This could result in the ICO serving the organisation with a monetary penalty of up to £500,000. However by using today’s top five tips and signing up for a free one day advisory visit, the ICO is highlighting the support available to help them keep their personal information secure.
Louise Byers, Head of Good Practice at the ICO, said: “We are aware that charities are often handling extremely sensitive information relating to the health and wellbeing of vulnerable people. 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.
The ‘Check up’ gives small and medium sized organisations the opportunity to discuss and receive practical advice from the ICO aimed at improving their data protection practices. The visits last one day and each organisation is provided with a short report summarising the ICO’s findings and providing practical advice on how they can improve.
Today’s top five list covers the main areas for improvement highlighted by previous advisory visits carried out at small and medium sized charities and third sector organisations. View it here today at http://www.ico.gov.uk/news/latest_news/2012/charities-urged-to-sign-up-for-ico-data-protection-check-up-top-five-tips-08082012.aspx