The information watchdog has warned that an unacceptable amount of data is being lost as the number of data losses and security breaches on personal information has risenby more than 50% over the last twelve months.

Security breaches connected with the NHS have risen from 70 to 134 over the period. and a total of 711 losses or breaches have been recorded by public and private bodies since it was revealed two years ago that HM Revenue and Customs had lost 25 million child benefit records.

The Information Commissioner’s Office has urged public bodies to improve their security arrangements for holding sensitive information as it revealed that almost one third of the losses are due to theft or burglary.  Of the 711 breaches, 231 of them were the result of theft.

David Smith, the deputy Information Commissioner, said:

“Unacceptable amounts of data are being stolen, lost in transit or mislaid by staff. Far too much personal data is still being unnecessarily downloaded from secure servers on to unencrypted laptops, USB sticks, and other portable media.”

In the first year after the HMRC scandal, some 277 data losses or breaches were recorded but an additional 434 were recorded in the last 12 months.

Incidents connected with the  NHS have risen from 70 to 134 over the period.

Mick Gorrill, the assistant information commissioner with responsibility for investigations, said:

“People’s data has a value. If you had £10,000 you are unlikely to leave it in the boot of your car; you would put it in a safe or deposit it with a bank.

“In the same way, people’s national insurance numbers, health records and bank details are valuable assets and organisations must take adequate steps to protect personal data.”