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| Thousands hit by breaches of data | Thousands hit by breaches of data |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Personal data breaches affecting thousands of people have been uncovered by BBC Scotland's Investigations Unit. | Personal data breaches affecting thousands of people have been uncovered by BBC Scotland's Investigations Unit. |
| The information was revealed through freedom of information requests to NHS boards, councils and police forces. | The information was revealed through freedom of information requests to NHS boards, councils and police forces. |
| These included lost patient notes, information on sex offenders and compromised payroll data. | These included lost patient notes, information on sex offenders and compromised payroll data. |
| All the bodies said they took any breach or loss of information very seriously and urged their staff to report even minor incidents. | All the bodies said they took any breach or loss of information very seriously and urged their staff to report even minor incidents. |
| In November 2005 a problem with the staff intranet at Comhairle nan Eileann Siar (Western Isles Council) meant National Insurance, bank details and other personal information of all 3,000 staff was accessible. | In November 2005 a problem with the staff intranet at Comhairle nan Eileann Siar (Western Isles Council) meant National Insurance, bank details and other personal information of all 3,000 staff was accessible. |
| Information taken outwith the council has to be encrypted Perth and Kinross Council class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=4462&edition=1&ttl=20080312104638">Send us your views | |
| A spokesman for the Comhairle said: "We are not aware of any problems for members of staff arising from this breach of security, which was promptly rectified. | A spokesman for the Comhairle said: "We are not aware of any problems for members of staff arising from this breach of security, which was promptly rectified. |
| "Action was also taken to prevent any recurrence of this situation." | "Action was also taken to prevent any recurrence of this situation." |
| Breaches at other organisations include driving licences being lost in the post and computers and organisers containing personal information being stolen. | Breaches at other organisations include driving licences being lost in the post and computers and organisers containing personal information being stolen. |
| Lothian and Borders Police said productions containing the names of accused had been inappropriately discarded. | Lothian and Borders Police said productions containing the names of accused had been inappropriately discarded. |
| A force spokesman said: "In terms of the lost items, full-scale and comprehensive investigations were ordered, as was a complete review of information security measures throughout the force." | A force spokesman said: "In terms of the lost items, full-scale and comprehensive investigations were ordered, as was a complete review of information security measures throughout the force." |
| Perth and Kinross Council said a USB memory stick was lost containing names and salaries, but later found. | Perth and Kinross Council said a USB memory stick was lost containing names and salaries, but later found. |
| A spokesman said: "An information security awareness programme has been introduced to Perth and Kinross Council employees. | A spokesman said: "An information security awareness programme has been introduced to Perth and Kinross Council employees. |
| "As a result, information taken outwith the council has to be encrypted." | "As a result, information taken outwith the council has to be encrypted." |
| Laptops are often a target for theft in large organisations | Laptops are often a target for theft in large organisations |
| Glasgow City Council cited three instances of personal information contained in databases having been breached. | Glasgow City Council cited three instances of personal information contained in databases having been breached. |
| The council said in each instance an employee was disciplined and in two they were reported to the police. | The council said in each instance an employee was disciplined and in two they were reported to the police. |
| NHS Tayside detailed 19 security breaches relating to staff and patients' personal information, including lost blood samples and confidential patient notes being left on a bus. | NHS Tayside detailed 19 security breaches relating to staff and patients' personal information, including lost blood samples and confidential patient notes being left on a bus. |
| The health board said these were not indicative of failure to comply with the policies relating to the use of personal information, but are more a result of human error. | The health board said these were not indicative of failure to comply with the policies relating to the use of personal information, but are more a result of human error. |
| NHS Shetland indicated that inappropriate access to lab results and inappropriate access to medical records of four patients had taken place. | NHS Shetland indicated that inappropriate access to lab results and inappropriate access to medical records of four patients had taken place. |
| North Lanarkshire Council outlined the case of a lost briefcase containing personal details of pupils, their addresses and dates of birth, which was then found again. | North Lanarkshire Council outlined the case of a lost briefcase containing personal details of pupils, their addresses and dates of birth, which was then found again. |
| A spokesman said: "The incident took place in September 2006. | A spokesman said: "The incident took place in September 2006. |
| "Employees were reminded of the data protection principles and the need to ensure that personal data is kept secure." | "Employees were reminded of the data protection principles and the need to ensure that personal data is kept secure." |
| Large-scale burglary in schools and other educational establishments continue to be a concern Edinburgh City Council | Large-scale burglary in schools and other educational establishments continue to be a concern Edinburgh City Council |
| Edinburgh City Council said personal information of people who had applied for housing using a public access site was available for a limited time by pressing the History button. | Edinburgh City Council said personal information of people who had applied for housing using a public access site was available for a limited time by pressing the History button. |
| The authority said no known data escaped and settings were restored. | The authority said no known data escaped and settings were restored. |
| It also outlined the theft of dozens of laptop computers. | It also outlined the theft of dozens of laptop computers. |
| A spokesman said in a statement: "All security incidents are formally recorded and each is carefully analysed to see what improvement actions can be made. | A spokesman said in a statement: "All security incidents are formally recorded and each is carefully analysed to see what improvement actions can be made. |
| "Large-scale burglary in schools and other educational establishments continue to be a concern but the overall figures need to be taken in context of the size of the council ICT estate (approximately 20,000 computers)." | "Large-scale burglary in schools and other educational establishments continue to be a concern but the overall figures need to be taken in context of the size of the council ICT estate (approximately 20,000 computers)." |
| NHS Grampian also detailed stolen laptops, adding: "Five thefts in three years is very disappointing but big hospitals are very busy places and, regrettably, opportunistic theft does take place in public buildings." | NHS Grampian also detailed stolen laptops, adding: "Five thefts in three years is very disappointing but big hospitals are very busy places and, regrettably, opportunistic theft does take place in public buildings." |
| The Scottish Government said it was up to public sector bodies to sort themselves out and the last thing it wanted to do was micro-manage. | The Scottish Government said it was up to public sector bodies to sort themselves out and the last thing it wanted to do was micro-manage. |
| However, it also said it had carried out a survey recently in light of these data losses and public bodies would receive any guidance from them in due course. | However, it also said it had carried out a survey recently in light of these data losses and public bodies would receive any guidance from them in due course. |