The review is said to be a response to the request of the Prime Minister in October that a review be conducted of the framework for the use of information in the private and public sector. It may well have had an increased urgency in the light of subsequent events. In their opening request for…
The recent events at HMRC have thrown the issue of data security into sharp focus. This article will examine some of the key technological and social drivers, which are underpinning the increasing focus of the media and the legislators on the issue of data security. I will also examine the ICO’s current guidance on the…
Read More… from Not me Gov! Data Security in the 21st Century
From Alex Dunstan-Lee, a Legal Specialist in KPMG’s Forensic Technology Services group: www.KPMG.co.uk Thinking in data: Lawyers will start to understand the power of thinking in data, not in paper. They will start to realise that word documents, e-mails etc are not pieces of paper inserted into a computer screen. They are large bodies of…
These days software supply options abound, but by far the most common choice remains an ‘off-the-shelf’ package with its take-it-or-leave-it licence. But before you accept those standard terms and conditions, have you ever stopped to wonder what the small print might actually mean? Defining terms First we need to be clear about what we mean…
From Anna Cook, Partner, Wedlake Bell: www.wedlakebell.com I think that the suppliers of outsourced services are gaining confidence and they are being less flexible in the provision of services. Also, services are becoming more commoditised. In turn, this is giving rise to simpler contracts. Customers are also seeking to negotiate shorter term contracts and more…
From Roger Bickerstaff, Partner at Bird & Bird and SCL Trustee: www.twobirds.com 1. I predict an increasing focus on open source software in the business applications environment for major corporate users – not for cost or ideological reasons – but more for vendor independence reasons. Open source gives major corporate users an opportunity to develop…
The loss of CDs containing the personal information of 25M UK citizens has rightly caused an out-pouring of ‘Shame on you’ on HMRC and prompted questions like ‘How could you let this happen?’ The real question that the British people should be asking though is this: ‘Who else has lost my data that I haven’t…
We asked a number of data protection experts for comment on the controversial loss of disks with details of 25 million individuals. The overwhelming reaction was that it was proof positive that greater care is needed and that a deeply ingrained cultural shift may be required in many organisations. Information Commissioner, Richard Thomas, who described…
We are running a series of articles on the site which give a flavour of top legal blogs, with the focus on those dealing with IT law topics and the like. This posting is from Laurence Kaye on Digital Media Law, a blog about the future of digital media law from Laurie Kaye, Laurence Kaye Solicitors. Laurie has promised a donation to Children in Need for every new ‘sign-up’ to his blog….
Read More… from Blog Taster: Privacy and Social Networks – Bees to the Honeypot
David Crocker looks at the special hoops that must be jumped through before selling software to the US government….