Information risk management fears at government department
13/05/2008 15:15:12
Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) staff have reportedly been responsible for breaches of data security, amid new concerns of ineffective information risk management.
A leaked internal email indicates the department has been responsible for sending out packages containing both sensitive information and relevant passwords required for access, potentially creating a major security risk.
Coming hot-on-the-heels of last year’s well-publicised data scandals, the latest revelation casts fresh doubt on the effectiveness of government information risk management policy.
A DWP spokeswoman told the Press Association: “We take the security of individuals' data extremely seriously.
"We have carried out a major review of procedures around the transfer of data to ensure the security of customer information.”
The DWP is not the first government department to be accused of neglecting information risk management responsibilities.
Last year both the HM Revenue & Customs and the Department for Transport were blasted for data security breaches.
Get the latest industry news straight to your inbox, click here to sign up
