Accountants warned to protect small businesses' data properly

Date: 31st July 2008

Accountants have been urged to carefully protect the data of their small business clients.

The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) issued the warning following the prosecution of a London-based accountant who failed to notify as a data controller, despite repeated reminders from the ICO.

According to the ICO, organisations that process individuals' personal information are required to notify with the Information Commissioner under the terms of the Data Protection Act.

"The Data Protection Act ensures that people's personal information is properly processed and protected," explained Mick Gorrill, the assistant commissioner at the ICO.

"Notifying as a data controller under the Data Protection Act is an important obligation for all organisations which process personal information.

"The Information Commissioner's Office stands ready to use its powers to prosecute the small minority of businesses that flout the Act by failing to notify with the ICO."

Mr Gorrill added that this was the third accountancy firm this year to be prosecuted for failure to notify.

Aziz Arian of Arian & Co Accountants was fined £400 and ordered to pay costs.