ICO consults on privacy protection

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has appointed consultants to look into devising a business case for proactive privacy protection.

Over three months Watson Hall Ltd and John Leach Information Security Ltd will explore methods involved in implementing business processes, procuring information systems and detail the role and value of personal information for organisations that handle it. Organisations in both the public and private sector will be included.

Jonathan Bamford, assistant commissioner at the ICO, said: "Data protection needs to be taken as seriously as health and safety at all levels in an organisation. Putting a value on privacy protection and investing resources in it is crucial to help ensure that effective safeguards are in place.

"The consultants want input from a range of organisations that collect and process personal information to help ensure that the end product is as relevant and useful in practice as possible."

The discussion document will be available from 14 August at http://watsonhall.com/privacy.protection and participants are invited to send their responses by 1 September.