'PROTECT OUR DATA OR BE FINED' STATES THE UK CONSUMER!

Despite Information Commissioner doling out his first-ever fines for Data Protection Act breaches, the UK consumer wants tougher penalties for those deemed to be wrong-doers.

Isn’t it great when you finally hear something completely unprovoked – and isn’t it also sweet music to your ears?

It appears the ever-sharp UK consumer has obviously been reading my blogs, and I find it wonderfully refreshing that it’s the customer looking to lead the revolution!

Of course, it shouldn’t have to be like this; having to campaign for those handling our data to act should never have been on the menu – but can we really blame them for their slow adoption to consciously securing our data if there were no repercussions, or incentives for that matter?

Last April, the ICO was given new powers to issues fines – a move that for the consumer has been long overdue!

As many as 4-in-5 people in a recent OnePoll survey commissioned by LogRhythm felt UK companies should be subjected to a US-style breach disclosure law.

Whilst prospective fines of up to £500,000 ought to get everyone focusing on new data priorities, what really ought to shock UK PLC into action is the tough stance the consumer has taken. Evidently the value to personal data has been recognised – and once it has been lost, no form of compensation can really make up for it.

The figures reflect this:  66% stated they would try to avoid future interactions with a data handler had their details become compromised; while 17% were adamant they definitely would not have anything more to do with the guilty party.

Ross Brewer, vice president and managing director of international markets at LogRhythm, gave his thoughts on the findings: “Our research suggests there is solid public support for such moves,” he said.

“Data breaches are still rife in the UK, and this seems to have led to a change in the public mood. There is now a common desire to see definite taken to force organisations to clean up their act.”

Not only could companies be punished for data loss incidents – they could lose customers too, who are now taking an active interest in the security of their personal details.

I find myself encouraged by this news; however critics have suggested the penalties to not amount to much. In terms of the scale of some of these organisations – I would have to agree.

However, let’s not be too critical. After all, this goes a long way to redressing the balance of the power organisations held over consumers. I like to think of it as a start – and, after all, Rome wasn’t built in a day!

The fruits of the new powers invested in the ICO are finally starting to blossom – and this news may finally force UK PLC kicking and screaming into compliance, as currently approximately half believe neither public nor private sector organisations have sufficient security measure in place to adequately safeguard sensitive data.

With the increasingly aware UK consumer keeping a watchful eye, this lack of public confidence is something that businesses and government need to address fast, and Brewer summed up the findings nicely.  He said: “The message to organisations couldn’t be clearer: those taking a lax approach to data security won’t just lose face, they will also lose customers.”

The UK consumers have spoken – over to UK PLC. It’s your move now!