Press Release
EOL IT Offers Advice over
Data Security Blunder
A company which specialises in transporting confidential data has offered to advise the Government following the loss of two CDs containing vital information.
The offer comes as Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) was still trying to trace the disks holding the names, addresses, national insurance and bank details of 7.25 million families which was sent unregistered and unencrypted via a normal business post service.
Every working day Essex-based EOL IT Services transports sensitive commercial information for major banks and insurance companies and Managing Director Richard Parker says he is amazed that this situation has arisen for HMRC.
He said: “Clearly this is a serious situation for the Government and one that should not have happened in this way. We are happy to advise the Government, the Treasury and HMRC on procedures for transporting confidential data.
“To have entrusted unencrypted CDs to an unsecured postal method was storing up problems. We have a 100% record in transporting data without a breach of security and some of the information we carry involves billions of pounds in transactions.”
EOL IT Services was formerly End-O-Line which made its name in the IT recycling sector. During the recycling process all data from banks, financial houses and insurance companies is permanently and securely deleted. Following a recent change of direction the company now offers services right across the IT equipment spectrum – including a secure courier service.
Key to EOL IT’s decade of success has been its reputation with clients that their information is secure. Mr Parker said: “There can be no half measures when dealing with data – in whatever form – that is so sensitive. As can be seen by the HMRC situation, the all-round ramifications of a security lapse are great.
“Obviously I cannot discuss our procedures in detail but I can say that the chain of handling is properly documented and we use unmarked vehicles. Our customers respect us for the extra mile we go to protect their security.”