HMRC 25 Million Data Compromise _ How To Protect Yourself

HMRC Data Disaster

Two computer discs containing the personal details of 25 million people have been lost in a bizarre and incompetent blunder by HM Revenue and Customs.

The computer discs feature information including names, addresses, ages, bank account and national insurance numbers.  

They are lost in the post after being sent from HM Revenue and Customs to the National Audit Office.  

Our view

What is going on here?  Are our public services organisations being run by a bunch of clowns? 

If had lost and not protected the personal data of our clients, the Financial Services Regulator, the FSA would have fined us very heavily. 

Data Encryption Software:  Simple data encryption software for moveable media such as flash drives, dvd and cd costs just a few pounds - we have it.

Registered Mail Special Delivery:  Costs under £5.  We send ALL client sensitive data and documents by it.

More heads must role for a complete failure to protect us all.  Big salaries, big pensions, big benefits paid to a bunch of baffoons.  If this Government does take action to root out such incompetence, then they cannot be trusted, you know what to do come polling day.

What is the risk? This depends upon where the disks are.  They may just be sat in a tray waiting to be found.  They may have been stolen.  There is a risk.

What should I do to protect myself?  If they have got into the wrong hands you may have problems.  As a precaution, we suggest that you change PIN numbers on all bank accounts and any other data to things that are not connected with you.  Stop using your's, your partner's or your children's names or dates of birth as security question answers or PIN numbers.

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