{"id":177484,"date":"2022-10-21T04:51:48","date_gmt":"2022-10-21T03:51:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/?p=177484"},"modified":"2022-11-23T04:16:55","modified_gmt":"2022-11-23T04:16:55","slug":"after-data-breach","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/data-privacy-it\/after-data-breach\/","title":{"rendered":"What Steps Should My Company Take Following a Data Protection Breach at Work in the UK?\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Suffering a data protection breach is every business owner\u2019s nightmare. First and foremost, there is a possibility of cyber criminals accessing sensitive information. In most scenarios, you must inform the Information Commissioner’s Office<\/a> (ICO) of the breach. Being proactive after a data breach is an excellent first step in minimising damage. Additionally, it may minimise any penalties you may receive from the ICO. This article will look at some helpful steps your company could take following any data protection breach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is a Data Protection Breach?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The ICO defines a personal data breach as a \u2018breach of security leading to the accidental or unlawful destruction, loss, alteration, unauthorised disclosure of, or access to, personal data\u2019<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Put more broadly, if an unauthorised user has accessed personal information and stolen, distributed or destroyed that data, it is very likely to constitute a personal data breach. This is the case whether that individual is internal (say, a staff member) or external (a cybercriminal).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Accidental loss of information or human error can also constitute a personal data breach. For example, if an employee accidentally deletes a folder full of data or a hard drive fails.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your business should try to avoid data breaches for several reasons. Firstly, the misuse of your information can cause problems for your business, including damaging your reputation and the potential theft of vital data. Furthermore, the ICO have the power to impose a fine of up to \u00a317.5 million<\/a> for breaches of data protection law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Follow a Data Breach Action Plan<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A data breach action plan details the actions your company needs to consider after suffering a data breach. Many business owners ask a lawyer or data protection officer to draft this plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These plans usually cover data breaches relate to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n