Business social media use ‘set to expand’
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More and more firms will employ social media as smartphones become increasingly sophisticated, it has been claimed.
Companies may want to ensure their data security is up-to-date as it has been claimed social media sites are set to become increasingly important to firms.
Tim Gibbon, director at communications consultancy Elemental, explained how these portals will become “even more connected and immersed into more of what we do in everyday life”.
He added that social media usage across computers and mobile devices “is staggering” and will only expand as smartphones and tablets “become increasingly sophisticated”.
As more businesses incorporate it into marketing strategies, their focus may move towards data security as information may be vulnerable to cybercriminals.
According to chair of the Identity Fraud Communications Awareness Group Neil Munroe, many individuals are not informed of the way hackers can use details placed on such sites to commit fraud.
He added cybercriminals are always looking for new ways to access personal information and abuse the system.
Posted by Salma Davidson
Firms ‘should aim to adopt the WEEE Directive’
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It has been claimed that adopting the WEEE Directive can help a company boost its image.
Companies can boost their brand if they participate in electrical recycling and adopt the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive, it has been claimed.
Greenpeace international campaigner Tom Dowdall commented that managing e-waste not only has benefits on the environment, but also helps promote a business’ ethical stance.
“Being seen as a company that is engaging in best practices for the environment is often key to advancing a company’s brand,” he commented.
According to Mr Dowdall, firms that cannot account for the proper disposal of their e-waste may have the reliability of their overall greenhouse gas data called into question.
Aside from the corporate brand benefits of recycling electrical goods, there is also the economic positives – such as recouping costs – while the environmental plus points include reducing toxic chemical exposure to people and the planet.
The WEEE Directive was introduced into UK law in January 2007 and aims to cut down the amount of electronic equipment being produced, as well as promote reuse and recycling.
Posted by James Rendell
Kent County Council ranks 2nd for data breaches
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According to a new study, Kent County Council has been ranked the second worst authority for its poor data security.
New research has revealed Kent County Council is one of the worst authorities in the UK for failing to prevent breaches of data security.
According to a report by Kent Online, a study conducted by Big Brother Watch found the local council has had 72 cases of sensitive and confidential information lost or stolen in the past three years.
This places the authority in second place, behind Buckinghamshire and ahead of Essex, in the third spot.
Maria Fort, research director of Big Brother Watch, said: “It’s extremely worrying. This research highlights a shockingly lax attitude to protecting confidential information.
“A lot of the data belonged to vulnerable individuals and parents should be concerned.”
Among the breaches was the loss of a laptop containing client information that was stolen from a social worker’s car, while an outreach employee lost a memory stick with personal data about 30 pupils from 16 schools on it.
In an interview with Big Brother Watch, a spokesperson for Kent County Council attempted to defend the findings by claiming the local authority was bound to have some of the worst results as it is the largest shire in the country.
Posted by Clive Notting
Data security breaches ‘a real threat’
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Firms need to take the threat of data security breaches seriously, according to one expert.
Companies have been warned threats to their data security are very real and can affect an organisation in varying degrees.
Associate of the Centre for Cyber Security Mark Dempster described how issues can range from “the annoying, like spam, to the catastrophic”.
For example a breach of security could result in the “total loss of the company’s critical product design information”.
Mr Dempster noted loss of data through cyber attacks often goes unreported by firms as they “have nobody to turn to that they can trust”.
It was suggested announcing problems with internet security could lead to reputational damage.
However, Mr Dempster commented that moves are being made to introduce legislation that makes it mandatory to report incidents.
Neil Munroe, chair of the Identity Fraud Communications Awareness Group, recently commented that both individuals and businesses need to be wary of the risks of online identity theft, as it is a problem that “is not going away”.
Posted by Salma Davidson
Poll finds 1 in 4 small firms risk mobile data security breaches
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New research has revealed companies are putting themselves at risk of data breaches through mobile handsets.
A quarter of all businesses in Yorkshire have admitted to failing to install adequate data security software on their IT devices, despite 92 per cent recognising it as important.
This is according to a survey carried out by OnePoll on behalf of communications provider KC, which found threats of information breaches are higher for some companies, who fail to use anti-cybercrime software on mobile phones.
Although 35 per cent of respondents indicated smartphones are regularly hooked up to their office network, many small and medium-sized firms appear to be leaving themselves vulnerable.
Tracey Hannan, IT security specialist at KC, said: “By not taking adequate security precautions, small businesses are playing Russian Roulette every time they go online, open an email or connect a mobile phone to their computer to download music.”
A recent study led by Lookout Mobile Security revealed only four in ten individuals have a passcode on their handset, despite 50 per cent worrying about being hacked.
Posted by Otto Greenberg
ICO criticises Rochdale council for data loss
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The Information Commissioner’s Office has criticised Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council for contravening the Data Protection Act by losing a memory stick containing residents’ information.
Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council has been criticised by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) for failing to take sufficient care to protect sensitive information.
The local authority lost a memory stick containing details of over 18,000 residents in May this year, which included data such as names, addresses and details of payments.
It has yet to recover the lost information and the ICO has ordered the council to make improvements to its practices as a result of the Data Protection Act breach.
This is one of four pieces of legislation enforced by the ICO, along with the Freedom of Information Act, the Environmental Information Regulations and the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations.
The data storage device did not make use of any encryption software and acting head of enforcement at the ICO Sally Anne Poole described the loss as “unacceptable”.
She said the incident “could have been easily avoided if adequate security measures had been in place”, adding an investigation by the ICO uncovered “a number of failings” relating to data protection at the council.
Posted by James Rendell
Laptops ‘must be recycled and not disposed of conventionally’
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Electrical items such as laptops and mobile phones should be recycled properly, it has been stated.
It is important that companies dispose of their old laptops and mobile phones appropriately as bins will not be collected if they contain electrical items.
This is according to Hastings Borough Council’s lead member for environment Councillor Phil Scott, who told the local Observer that more is being done to encourage recycling in the town.
He commented that “it’s never been easier” to donate unwanted electrical goods and avoid putting them in landfill.
However, before handing over old laptops and smartphones, businesses and individuals may want to ensure all their personal information has been wiped from the hard drive.
Writing for TechSoup’s GreenTech Initiative, Jim Lynch recently advised people that it is important to remove details stored in an internet browser’s cache, cookies, history, email contacts, messages, documents and recycle folder.
In Hastings, Mr Scott commented that specialist bins have been installed across four sites in the town in a bid to encourage electrical recycling.
Posted by Salma Davidson
Cyber crime ‘is a real threat’
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Firms need to recognise the serious threat that cyber crime poses, according to one expert.
Companies have been warned that failing to recognise the risks of threats from cyber attacks can make them vulnerable to data leaks.
Simon Ellson, a Norton security expert, advised individuals that it is “now more important than ever to protect yourself online”.
He commented that cybercriminals will use phishing attacks and spam to obtain bank details and personal information.
“People often have the ‘it will never happen to me’ attitude and increasingly they are the ones who are being targeted,” Mr Ellson stated.
In order to avoid becoming a victim of cyber crime, all laptops and computers should have up-to-date security packages installed, it was noted, with online threats said to be becoming increasingly sophisticated.
Another way in which businesses may want to protect their private data is to ensure they have the hard drives on their old devices wiped clean of any personal information before they are sent to be recycled.
Posted by James Rendell
Lost laptop causes train chaos
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Police halt train after civil servant loses laptop containing sensitive information.
Fears of a security breach were announced after a senior Whitehall official left a laptop on a busy train.
According to the Daily Mirror, the police were called in after the civil servant put out a red alert in the hope of preventing sensitive documents from being leaked.
Along with information contained on the laptop, confidential paperwork was left in the public domain after the official alighted the train at Bedford.
The incident led to the mode of transport being taken out of service during rush hour when it was stopped in Derby and searched.
However, the items were later found at a lost property office, which did little to appease the commuters who faced chaos as a result of the event.
A source told the publication: “All hell broke loose when the woman phoned to say the laptop was missing.
“Thankfully for her it was found.”
The news comes after the Information Commissioner’s Office recently announced the Data Protection Act was breached by Newcastle Youth Offending Team after they failed to encrypt a laptop that was later stolen.
Posted by Salma Davidson
New campaign calls for more laptop recycling
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Brits have been urged to recycle their old laptops so that more UK citizens can get online.
A new campaign has been backed by MSN, which is encouraging companies and individuals to recycle their old laptops.
The Give an Hour 2011 initiative is designed to help get the 8.7 million British adults who have never been online on to the internet before the Olympics in 2012.
Those with dormant laptops and PCs lying around at home or in the office were urged to donate their devices for recycling.
It was suggested that research shows 30 per cent of people have an old computer they no longer use, while 15 per cent have two.
MSN is hoping more Brits will attempt to help others by handing their unwanted laptops and PCs in for recycling at outlets that can securely handle data wiping, so personal information is not compromised.
The campaign follows recent comments from director-general of the British Metals Recycling Association Ian Hetherington in the Financial Times, which claimed the reusable components of a laptop are worth around £30.
Posted by Otto Greenberg