Charities must ensure that their data protection policies are robust enough to withstand scrutiny, with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) warning non-profit organisations that breaches can incur fines of up to £500,000.
The ICO has identified the fundamental areas that require improvement, including telling people how their data is used and only keeping it as long as necessary, ensuring staff are adequately trained, and security measures such as encrypting portable devices and using strong passwords.
“With these organisations often lacking the money to employ dedicated information governance staff, there’s a danger that many charities may be struggling to look after people’s data,” say ICO head of good practice Louise Byers.
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