Enquiries at Essex over data security incidents

11 October 2012

Investigations have been launched into a possible data security breach at Essex County Council, after files were discovered in a disused building, the BBC has reported.

Believed to be the third recent information security incident, David Wilde, the council's chief information officer, reportedly said the incidents had "been a good test" of council procedures.

A spokesman for the Information Commissioner's Office, which can issue fines of up to £500,000 for serious breaches of the Data Protection Act, confirmed to Publicservice.co.uk that it was making enquiries.

The authority also told the BBC that it was conducting its own "ongoing" investigation, but would not provide details on the building incident.

In August, the council confirmed that it was investigating an alleged breach which may have caused 'minimal' identity theft for around 400 residents.