No denial was forthcoming from the DoH press office and a generic data loss position statement was given (below).
"The NHS locally has legal responsibility to comply with data protection rules. They are expected to take data loss extremely seriously, be open about incidents and about the action taken as a result. This month David Nicholson, Chief Executive of the NHS, has written to all senior health managers reminding them of their responsibilities following the level of public concern in the wake of data losses."
4 comments:
Why don't we just post everyone's details on the internet. Then they can't get lost.
Not surprised any more!
I was reading recently about doctors regularly putting patient’s data on pen drives & out of nearly a hundred they looked at, shockingly fewer than twenty had some form of encryption on them & only half again had it switched on!!!! Makes you think how many other examples they must be out there!
Until we have a change of mind set towards who looks at our data & how our data is looked after then surely we can expect a lot more of this sort of thing to happen!
As far as the encryption goes would you expect a doctor to know the different strengths of encryption? Of course not! How many of us do?
Computers are going to be our way of life, like our money. Like our money we do all we can to look after it, when we all have the mind set that all data could be worth a small fortune to the right person then just like we are careful with other peoples money, we will be careful with their data!
According to the Evening Standard, a more serious loss has occurred with regard to some sensitive data on terrorism investigations, 'Terrorism cell' data stick missing
15.09.08
A police force said it was investigating the loss of a computer memory stick.
West Midlands Police said it could not comment on the contents of the device, but local media reports suggested it held "top-secret information on terror suspects".
A force spokeswoman said: "We can confirm West Midlands Police is investigating the loss of a data memory stick.
"We are conducting searches in an attempt to recover the lost item.
"We will not comment in relation to the contents of that memory stick."
The Birmingham Mail on Monday reported that the black 4GB stick was lost after being taken out of a police station in Castle Vale, Birmingham, by an officer on patrol last week.
The memory stick reportedly contains details of terror cells being tracked by police, although the force refused to confirm or deny this.
A Home Office spokesman said the Government had been informed about the loss but added that he could not comment further.
And the West Midlands Police Force have lost more data!
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