£500,000 Fines for Data Losses
26th April 2010

dataplex, the information and communication technology company, based in Manchester and Witney, Oxfordshire, has created a new security package to help business and public administration guard against security errors.

It’s in response to new laws which could see fines of up to £500,000 for serious data security breaches which are now in force in the UK.

dataplex will be highlighting the new security regulations and exhibiting its solutions at this week’s Infosecurity Europe, which runs from April 27th – 29th at Earl’s Court in London. The company will be joining forces with IT giants, McAfee International whose security tools are designed to protect the new generation of virtualisation and green IT tools.

Charles Barratt, dataplex marketing director, said: “If it happens, a data security breach can cause mayhem and distress to thousands of people.   A violation of personal information, like the loss of credit card details or personal identifiable information can wreck people’s lives.

“The new regulations should protect people but IT security managers must now ensure that their systems are safe and sufficiently protected against the loss of data.  

“A lot of security breaches aren’t via hackers attacking networks.  It’s often because people make mistakes or because of bad business practice.    Now with the threat of fines for security errors, companies have an urgent need to have the tightest data protection ever.”

The new law, policed by the Information Commissioners Office, came into force on April 6th.  The level of penalty will depend on the gravity of the breach and the size and finances of the organisation which has broken the law.

Information Commissioner, Christopher Graham, wants companies to comply more strictly with the Data Protection Act.  He said: “These penalties are designed to act as a deterrent.”

dataplex managing director, Richard Sparrow, said:  “The portable technology we have now, like laptops, mobile phones and memory sticks, mean that information is on the move but it also means it’s much more vulnerable.

“Laptops, phones, memory sticks all make working life easier but these must now all be fully protected because that will make the difference to the size of a fine if the information is lost or stolen.

“Information about employees, working partners and customers can all be at risk.  In the past, companies may have been reluctant to buy security tools.  But now, investing in encryption, data loss prevention and end point protection is no longer a possible business choice - it’s an absolute necessity.”

The dataplex team will be available at the McAfee International stand (F60, M93, E34) throughout Infosecurity Europe and on Thursday, April 29th at 12noon, Charles Barratt will make a presentation entitled "Securing the virtual world".

dataplex, the UK’s leading independent ICT company, employs 50 people and works within business, industry and the public sector, including the NHS.

For more information and interviews, please contact:

Richard Sparrow Managing Director 07763 773 585

Charles Barratt, Business development and marketing director 07900 900 976