Except in exceptional cases, when it is in the public interest, it has been the policy of successive Governments not to comment on breaches of security.
The Department takes its responsibilities to protect personal data extremely seriously. Where breaches of security involve personal data, the Department will, in appropriate cases, alert individuals and provide them with support and advice, and bring the matter to the attention of the Information Commissioner.
The Department will cover information assurance issues in its annual resource accounts, which also include details of significant incidents involving personal data that have been reported to the Information Commissioner.