Title

Councils have been issued with ‘fundamental' guidance aimed at strengthening data protection. Just days after CLG officials admitted their serious concerns at losses of sensitive information by local authorities, councils were issued with new data-handling guidelines. The advice was issued jointly by the Society of IT Management (SOCITM), the LGA and central government. Included was an essential checklist of actions, as well as examples of best practice in secure data handling. The advice was described by officials as ‘the standard' for councils to follow and ‘challenging, but necessary to build public confidence in local government's ability to protect personal data'. The move followed a raft of incidents involving the loss of sensitive files by staff. In the latest incident, Leicester City Council's chief executive, Sheila Lock, announced an investigation into the disappearance of a memory stick from a council-run nursery. It contained the names, addresses, dates of birth and telephone numbers for up to 80 children. Ms Lock described the breach as ‘serious and unacceptable', and revealed the incident had been reported to the information commissioner. Richard Steel, president of SOCITM and chief information officer at Newham LBC, warned all councils would have to change their approach. ‘It's a long time since data security could be considered as something for just the IT department to worry about. It's a concern that should run through the entire organisation,' he said. ‘If local government is to meet the challenge of improving public trust, it will first be by creating the right culture and second, by having the right policies and procedures in place to provide accountability and scrutiny.' Information commissioner, Richard Thomas, who condemned 26 councils for serious breaches, said the advice was a significant step forward. He said: ‘I believe that if councils effectively implement the steps set out in the guidelines, they will significantly reduce the risk of incidents and problems, and in doing so, help build the necessary public trust.' For further information, see the Socitm website

Title

WHITEHALL

Councils urged to beef up data protection practices

SUBSCRIBE TO CONTINUE READING