Comments highlight concerns over the safety of B2B data lists

While maximising the potential of B2B data lists may have emerged as a key issue in the current economic conditions, new comments from a major independent body have also highlighted the importance of handling such details responsibly.

After releasing research on data breaches last week, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) claimed in a statement companies that fail to protect such information responsibly "risk losing the trust and confidence of the public".

It is not the first time this year that the organisation, which is an independent body responsible for the promotion of good data practice, has made such comments as Richard Thomas, the information commissioner himself, echoed the opinion just last month.

Speaking at the launch of the Personal Information Promise (PIP), he said firms are "waking up to the fact that privacy is now so significant that lapses risk reputations and bottom lines".

The PIP is a new pledge backed by major companies including Royal Mail and British Gas to encourage firms to handle information such as B2B data lists responsibly and Mr Thomas said such a move is vital.

"Data protection is good for business. We say so and businesses say so," he explained.

"What company wants inaccurate records on its customers? What public body can afford to take risks with sensitive personal details? I urge leaders across government, the public, private and third sectors to take a positive attitude to data protection."

Last year, research from PayPal backed-up the need for growing businesses and other bodies in the UK to take such a stance on client information.

The study revealed one in seven people in the UK that shop online have fallen victim to identity theft. However, it also highlighted that it is not just businesses that need to ensure they are taking data protection seriously, as 40 per cent of the consumers polled claimed they were "clueless" as to how their details had been obtained.

All of this leads to one question - how can companies do their bit to ensure the misuse of information such as B2B data lists is avoided? Richard Thomas concluded at the PIP launch that the solution lies with the leaders and owners of UK organisations.

He said: "I urge all chief executive officers and their executive teams to take personal responsibility for treating data protection as a corporate governance issue affecting the whole organisation.

"They have to make sure that safeguarding the personal information of the customers and staff is embedded in their organisational culture."

Source: businessstrata