The ICO Calls For Compulsory Data Audit Powers
Tue 25 Oct, 2011 // Chris Allan
The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), the body responsible for upholding information rights in the public's interest, the promotion of openness by public bodies, and data privacy for individuals, only have control over the auditing of central government departments. In order for them to conduct an audit for any organisation other than central government departments, the ICO must win consent.
During the annual 10th Data Protection Compliance Conference in London, the ICO called to be given powers to conduct compulsory data protection audits in local government, health services, and within the private sector. The ICO believe this is required to ensure compliance with data protection laws.
Currently, the NHS continues to cause major problems; out of the 47 undertakings the ICO has agreed with organisations that have breached the Data Protection Act since April, over 40% were in the healthcare sector.
With businesses being the sector generating the most data protection related complaints, and with only 19% of companies contacted by the ICO having accepted the offer of undergoing an audit, the majority of audit requests are being ignored by organisations.
Christopher Graham, Information Commissioner, has said:
“Something is clearly wrong when the regulator has to ask permission from the organisations causing us concern before we can audit their data protection practices. Helping the healthcare sector, local government and businesses to handle personal data better are top priorities, and yet we are powerless to get in there and find out what is really going on.”
“With more data being collected about all of us than ever before, greater audit powers are urgently needed to ensure that the people handling our data are doing a proper job. I am preparing the business case for the extension of the ICO’s Assessment Notice powers under the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 to these problematic sectors.”.
Compared to the number of data protection complaints received last year, the figure has risen by 2%.
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