Businesses ''owe'' good data security to their customers

Customers deserve to know that their personal data is secure when they have dealings with a company, an expert reveals.

The expertise of IT umbrella companies can be used to ensure businesses secure their data properly, which is essential for them to maintain their reputations, one expert says.

Matthew Baxter-Reynolds, independent software development consultant with AMX Mobile, highlighted that every business has a duty of care towards their customers in relation to the data they store.

He also suggested that companies have a moral obligation to ensure sensitive information is treated with care.

"There are other things, such as the Information Commissioners Office, [which] can fine organisations that are not deemed to be taking adequate security, but I would hope that most people regard it primarily as a moral thing," Mr Baxter-Reynolds commented.

Encryption is one of the main ways in which data can be kept safe, especially as it is so cheap to achieve these days, the expert indicated.

He urged any company to enlist the help of an IT professional to ensure all information is encrypted.