Under the mandatory requirements of the Data Handling Report published on 25 June 2008, the Department for Children, Schools and Families is required to give a summary report on data breaches reported to the Information Commissioner in its annual resource accounts.
The Department for Children, Schools and Families has reported on personal data breaches in the 2007-08 annual resource account and this can be found at:
www.dcsf.gov.uk/aboutus/reports/
We will be publishing information on personal data security breaches reported to the Information Commissioner for the 2008-09 reporting year before Parliament rises in July. The information is currently being compiled and is to be audited and verified before it is laid before Parliament.
Information is a key asset to Government and its correct handling is vital to the delivery of public services and to the integrity of HMG. The Security Policy Framework and the Data Handling Report produced by the Cabinet Office provide a strategic framework for protecting information that Government handle and put in place a set of mandatory measures which Departments must adhere to.
DCSF has clear guidance for all staff about their responsibilities in relation to information handling and data security, which is regularly reinforced. In addition all staff must complete online protecting information training by 31 August 2009. The Department will take robust action against any member of staff who fails to take reasonable steps to safeguard the information and data for which they or their staff are responsible, and this may include dismissal and criminal proceedings where appropriate.
In DCSF there have been less than five such breaches where disciplinary action has been appropriate in the 12 months to 31 May 2009 and individual detail is suppressed on grounds of confidentiality.