Upcoming Events :
Housing Seminar: Partnerships with the Public Sector – Avoiding the pitfalls
Thu 31 May 2012
Minerva House, 5 Montague Close, London, SE1 9BB
ICO: Data protection standards a concern in criminal justice sector
Mon 09 Jan 2012
The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has warned that many bodies in the criminal justice sector are falling short when it comes to data protection.
According to the watchdog, there have been many changes in this particular area recently, including the launch of crime maps and a restructuring of the Association of Chief Police Officers, the Guardian reports.
Furthermore, it noted that a new vetting and barring scheme has been put in place, along with various police reforms.
As a result, the ICO believes some organisations are not doing enough to make sure sensitive data is still being properly safeguarded.
A spokeswoman for the group added that the NHS is also proving to be a cause for concern, as many recent data breaches have occurred in the healthcare sector.
The regulator has pledged to step up its focus on these two areas in the near future.
James Oxley, solicitor at Winckworth Sherwood, commented: "The Information Commissioner's Office has recently published its information rights strategy and has highlighted not just the criminal justice and the health sectors, but also credit and finance, internet and mobile services and the security sectors as ones it will be targeting to ensure compliance with data protection standards.
"The information commissioner is keen to ensure the current economic problems do not lead to the cutting of corners at the expense of data protection.
"Whilst the information commissioner now has powers to fine up to £500,000 for any data protection breach, it should not be forgotten that negative press can also prove equally as damaging. Winckworth Sherwood has considerable experience in advising on all aspects of data protection law."
This comes after Anne Jones of the ICO said data protection standards are an "underlying problem" at many social services departments in Britain.
