data theft
Howard Lake | 1 April 2009 | Blogs
A recent (free) edition of Information World Review (www.iwr.co.uk) contains a number of interesting articles (as usual). One suggests that the recession could fuel data theft losses. The increasing constraints on IT budgets could leave organisations more vulnerable, as information security is compromised.
The article claims that businesses that share large quantities of data are most at risk, so be careful with lists swaps and database cleaning and screening, for example. Send it as securely as you can, ideally password protected. Ask for confirmation of receipt and make sure that the recipient deletes it entirely from their system, once the research project is completed. Check that they have done so. Any database screener, etc., should be happy to discuss their procedure with you before you agree to work with them.
Remote working can be a very appealing cost cutting option that can be much appreciated by staff but remotely stored data can be at risk. Are the computers (hard drive, files) and the data adequately protected? Do you or any of your colleagues have USB sticks in pockets or laptops in bags that contain information that could identify a donor or prospect?
If companies don’t dispose of computer equipment belonging to former employees, then data can be at risk here.
Apparently 58% of British workers would take confidential data if it helped them to secure a new job, and approximately 40% have already started to do so!
Of course, much of this could be scaremongers trying to drum up business for themselves, but it helps to be aware of the risks. How secure is your organisation’s data?
The Information Commissioner should be your first port of call when looking for ./guidance – www.ico.gov.uk/Home/for_organisations/topic_specific_guides/information_sharing.aspx
Thanks to Chris Carnie at Factary, and Kerry Rock at Action Planning for feedback on this item
Finbar Cullen
ResearchPlus
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About Howard Lake
Howard Lake is consultant editor of UK Fundraising. He founded the site in 1994 and successfully sold it in 2022. As director of Giving X Ltd he is exploring growing giving on a massive scale.
He is the founder of Fundraising Camp and co-founder of GoodJobs.