Survey: 85% of UK companies unaware of new Data Protection Act

According to a survey commissioned by Security Dynamics Technologies, there is "an alarming lack of understanding" among UK companies regarding the new Data Protection Act. The new act came into force on October 25.

According to the research which looked at 100 medium to large companies, 85 percent were unaware that the 1984 Act was due to change. Graham Welch, general manager of Security Dynamics says "companies without adequate protection are exposing themselves to serious breaches of the new Act which has more powerful and wide-ranging penalties than its predecessor".

Tomorrow, ZDNet UK News columnist Robin Bynoe, a partner with the Charles Russel law firm, looks at the Data Protection Act of 1998, what it means and how it could affect your business.