ICT 0417 – Safety and Security: Data Protection Act
Safety and Security – Data Protection
Why Data Protection Legislation Is Required
Data protection legislation exists to safeguard personal and sensitive information from misuse, loss, or unauthorised access. The main reasons are:
Protect Individual Privacy: Ensures that personal data is collected, stored, and used fairly and transparently.
Prevent Identity Theft and Fraud: Reduces the risk that personal details are exploited for criminal purposes.
Maintain Trust: Builds confidence among customers, employees and the public that organisations handle data responsibly.
Legal Compliance: Provides a framework that organisations must follow to avoid fines, legal action and reputational damage.
Support Ethical Use of Data: Encourages organisations to consider the moral implications of data handling.
Key Principles of a Typical Data Protection Act
The following table summarises the core principles that most data protection statutes, such as the UK Data Protection Act 2018, incorporate.
Principle
Explanation
Lawful, Fair and Transparent Processing
Data must be processed in a way that is lawful, respects the rights of individuals and is clear about how data is used.
Purpose Limitation
Personal data may only be collected for specified, explicit and legitimate purposes and not further processed incompatibly.
Data Minimisation
Only the data necessary for the intended purpose should be collected and retained.
Accuracy
Data must be accurate and kept up‑to‑date; inaccurate data should be corrected or deleted promptly.
Storage Limitation
Personal data should not be kept longer than necessary for the purpose for which it was collected.
Integrity and Confidentiality (Security)
Appropriate technical and organisational measures must protect data against unauthorised or unlawful processing, accidental loss, destruction or damage.
Accountability
The data controller is responsible for, and must be able to demonstrate, compliance with all other principles.
How the Principles Are Applied in Practice
Conduct a Data Audit to identify what personal data is held, where it is stored and who has access.
Develop a Privacy Notice that explains to data subjects how their information will be used.
Implement Access Controls (e.g., passwords, role‑based permissions) to enforce the security principle.
Use Encryption for data at rest and in transit where appropriate.
Establish a Retention Schedule and securely delete data that is no longer required.
Provide regular Training for staff on data handling and the importance of privacy.
Appoint a Data Protection Officer (DPO) where required to oversee compliance.
Consequences of Non‑Compliance
Failure to adhere to data protection legislation can result in:
Financial penalties (e.g., up to £17.5 million or 4 % of global turnover under GDPR).
Legal action from affected individuals.
Reputational damage and loss of customer confidence.
Mandatory orders to cease processing or to delete data.
Suggested diagram: Flowchart showing the data lifecycle from collection → storage → use → sharing → retention → disposal, with checkpoints for each data protection principle.
Summary Checklist for Students
Understand why protecting personal data is essential for individuals and organisations.
Know the seven core principles of a data protection act.
Be able to give examples of how each principle can be applied in a school or business setting.
Recall the potential penalties for breaching data protection legislation.
Recognise the role of a Data Protection Officer and the importance of accountability.