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Businesses 'unwilling to undergo data protection audits'
Oct 17 2011, 10:58 AM
Many groups are unwilling to have their data management policies properly scrutinised, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has stated.
According to the organisation, the highest proportion of the data protection complaints it receives relate to businesses.
However, the ICO noted that lots of these firms are declining its offers to carry out a full data protection audit.
Indeed, it said that less than one in five businesses are allowing the watchdog to scrutinise their operations.
Christopher Graham, the Information Commissioner, has therefore insisted that his department be given more powers.
"Something is clearly wrong when the regulator has to ask permission from the organisations causing us concern before we can audit their data protection practices," he commented.
Mr Graham said changes to the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 relating to its Assessment Notice powers need to be put in place "urgently", as businesses are collecting unprecedented amounts of people's personal information.
He warned that under the current rules, the ICO is "powerless" to find out exactly what is happening at businesses.
The Information Commissioner warned of similar problems in the public sector, as only central government departments can be made to undergo compulsory audits.
Nevertheless, the ICO believes data security is proving to be a "major problem" in the NHS, as well as in the local government sector.
Mr Graham added that helping organisations make sure they do a "proper job" when handling people's personal information is a top priority for his department.
This comes shortly after he assured businesses that its audits are not designed to name and shame those who are falling short when it comes to data security.
Mr Graham insisted that the inspections should instead be seen as a "badge of honour", as they can be used to demonstrate that organisations take looking after private information very seriously.
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