The British security industry association (BSIA) is advising businesses that the secure disposal of confidential material is key to ensuring that they do not fall victim to identity fraud.

The warning comes at a time when the issue of identity theft is attracting increasing media attention. Nonetheless, some people remain unaware that, unless information is disposed of securely, sensitive details could inadvertently fall into the wrong hands – potentially inviting criminals to cash in.

According to a 2006 report issued jointly by BT, the University of Glamorgan in Wales and the Edith Cowan University in Perth, Australia, second-hand computer disks purchased by researchers from a number of sources still contained significant volumes of confidential and sensitive information.

Over 300 disks were obtained from the UK, Australia, North America and Germany, having been purchased at computer auctions, at computer fairs or online in the respective geographical areas. Some of the information contained on the disks included payroll data, mobile telephone numbers, copies of invoices, employee names and photographs, IP addresses, network information and financial details about bank and credit card accounts.

Data Protection Act: the obligations

This research proves that companies and individuals need to take the disposal of information seriously. The organisations included in this research failed to meet their legal obligations under the Data Protection Act.

BSIA-registered information destruction companies ensure that computer parts such as hard drives carrying sensitive data are crushed into small fragments such that all sensitive data is destroyed (and because methods of cleansing, like magnetic swiping, are not 100% effective). BSIA members ensure that confidential data is disposed of securely and in accordance with BS 8470.

‘ID Fraud: They Stole My Life’

In addition, the media spotlight continued to shine on the issue as the BBC recently tackled the subject of growing instances of ID theft in its documentary ‘ID Fraud: They Stole My Life’.

Commenting on the programme, the BSIA’s Information Destruction Section chairman Anthony Pearlgood told SMT: “The documentary highlighted the very serious nature of what is now the UK’s fastest-growing crime – identity fraud. This crime costs the UK economy £1.7 billion per annum. Businesses are running the risk of significant losses if they’re not taking preventative measures to protect their confidential information.”

The Association has recently published a useful guide to the new British Standard BS 8470. Copies can be downloaded free from the BSIA’s all-new web site at www.bsia.co.uk/publications

Source

SMT