I am concerned as any other resident about stories in the media about the theft of a laptop containing over 14,000 postal vote details. My data was also stolen.
The theft appears to have been from within the secure section of the building and the data was password protected twice over although not encrypted.
Lessons for the future:
– the council should look at whether this data should be fully encrypted
– policies on the use of laptop and their storage when unattended should be reviewed without delay.
Further thoughts:
– the council lost no time in writing to everyone affected: it held its hands up rather than pretending that it was not a matter for concern
– there is no evidence of particular carelessness on the part of any member of staff (it wasn’t stolen from a car for instance or left on a train): that said, any theft of data is unacceptable and so changes in procedure must be made
– there is nothing unusual these days about laptops being used for confidential data, provided additional precautions are made: modern working methods require their use
– it remains unlikely that the data could really be used for personal fraud, not least because we have all been alerted.
What should you do?
– as ever be vigilant: if people approach you in a way which makes you suspicious do not give anything away. If you think someone intend you to be the victim of a fraud, contact the police.