Latest Public Sector News

12.02.14

£185,000 fine for government information breach

A government department has been fined £185,000 for a “very serious data breach” involving personal details of a terror incident.

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) fined the Department of Justice Northern Ireland for selling a filing cabinet containing the sensitive information at a public auction.

The information concerned victims of a terrorist incident, including injuries suffered, family details and the amount of compensation offered.

When the Compensation Agency Northern Ireland, part of the DoJ NI, moved offices in February 2012, a locked cabinet containing the information was earmarked for auction along with other unwanted office furniture. It was sold to a member of the public in May 2012.

The buyer forced the lock and found the details, which he then reported to the police.

ICO assistant commissioner for Northern Ireland, Ken Macdonald, said: “This is clearly a very serious case. While failing to check the contents of a filing cabinet before selling it may seem careless, the nature of the information typically held by this organisation made the error all the more concerning.

“The distress that could have been caused to victims and their families had this fallen into the wrong hands is self-evident.”

Tell us what you think – have your say below, or email us directly at [email protected]

Comments

There are no comments. Why not be the first?

Add your comment

public sector executive tv

more videos >

last word

Prevention: Investing for the future

Prevention: Investing for the future

Rob Whiteman, CEO at the Chartered Institute of Public Finance (CIPFA), discusses the benefits of long-term preventative investment. Rising demand, reducing resource – this has been the r more > more last word articles >

public sector focus

View all News

comment

Peter Kyle MP: It’s time to say thank you this Public Service Day

21/06/2019Peter Kyle MP: It’s time to say thank you this Public Service Day

Taking time to say thank you is one of the hidden pillars of a society. Bei... more >
How community-led initiatives can help save the housing shortage

19/06/2019How community-led initiatives can help save the housing shortage

Tom Chance, director at the National Community Land Trust Network, argues t... more >

interviews

Artificial intelligence: the devil is in the data

17/12/2018Artificial intelligence: the devil is in the data

It’s no secret that the public sector and its service providers need ... more >