We focus on the latest news surrounding data breaches, leaks and hacks plus daily internet security articles.
Human error data breaches remain one of the number one causes when it comes to data protection incidents, and it’s important for victims of these kinds of breaches to know their rights.
The important thing to know is that it doesn’t stop you being able to claim if the cause of a breach stems from an error by a human. The organisation that employs the person can be held liable for a legal case, and in this article, we’ll explain why.
It’s not an acceptable excuse for an organisation to simply try and defend a claim on the basis that the fault lies with a human.
As the issue of rising cybercrime costs hits the news again, we want to make sure that the focus isn’t shifted away from those who can be hit the worst when an incident takes place; the victims.
Although organisations can end up paying significant costs in dealing with the fallout of a data breach incident, it’s the victims whose personal and sensitive information has been exposed. It’s the victims who must suffer with the distress caused by the loss of control over their information. And it’s the victims who we focus on when we represent them for claims for data breach compensation.
Importantly, victims can be entitled to claim compensation when their information is misused or exposed. Data breach compensation pay-outs are separate to fines and costs and are designed to ensure the victims are properly compensated.
If your information has been exposed or misused, one of the first things you may want to know is who is liable for a data breach given that you may be owed compensation.
Ultimately, anyone can be liable for a data breach if it’s their responsibility to look after and properly use your information and they’ve failed to do so. But a more important question may be whether those at the centre of a data breach are liable to compensate you.
As expert Data Leak Lawyers with a long history of being at the forefront of data breach cases and group actions, we’re very well placed to answer these questions.
It’s understood that the recently discovered Lancaster University cyber incident may have affected as many as 12,500 people.
The university was hit by what they called a “sophisticated” cyber-attack that had affected the data for some students and applicants. It’s now understood that the number of people whose data may have been exposed in the attack could be as many as 12,500.
Given the volume of people affected, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) could impose a significant penalty if they find that the university is guilty of breaching GDPR. In terms of justice for the victims, that’s where we come in.
The recent Lancaster University cyber-attack highlights the need for better defence in the educational sector, as this isn’t the first time a successful attack has taken place that involves a university.
As well as being able to represent anyone affected by the Lancaster incident, we’ve been representing victims of the Greenwich University cyber-attack incident from a few years ago. There have also been cases of other higher education organisations being hit by attacks as well, including Oxford University and Warwick.
As well as highlighting the needs for better defence, we must also make sure that victims of successful data breach incidents know what they can do as well.
Public sector hacks remain one of the more worrying aspects of worldwide data protection issues, and we can tell you from experience that these woes apply here in the UK.
We say this a lot, but the simple fact of the matter is that it’s a worrying truth. One of the most common types of compensation claims we deal with here at the Data Leak Lawyers involve public sector organisations. The most common are medical data breach claims and council data protection cases.
Yet again, we’re hearing the experts voice their concerns when it comes to public sector data protection problems, and it’s important for people to know what to do when their information it misused or exposed.
A Medway Council data breach incident has been discovered by a security researcher after “rudimentary” tests found a bug in a system that may have exposed personal data.
Council data breach compensation claims are increasingly common these days, and a lot of it is likely down to a lack of investment in security and technology. One of the most common types of legal cases we take forward involve local authorities or the agencies they employ, and we regularly see these kinds of breach stories hitting the news.
In this case, it appears that an issue with an online inquiry form may have allowed anyone to access the personal information of some residents.
If you’ve been affected by the recently announced Lancaster University data breach incidents, we may be able to assist you with a No Win, No Fee compensation claim.
Our lawyers are fighting for justice in dozens of different data breach group actions, and this includes previous university data breach incidents. Students who have been affected by the Lancaster University incident could be entitled to make a claim for data breach compensation.
Trust the experts who have been representing people for claims for a number of years. We’re here to help, and our offices are usually open until 10pm on most week nights, and 9am to 5pm on most weekends.
It’s understood that more arrests have been made in relation to the University of South Wales data incident that hit the news a few weeks ago.
There’s limited information about what exactly has happened, other than that an arrest had previously been made as part of ongoing investigations. This month, it’s understood that the police have made two further arrests in connection with the data breach.
Data protection in the education sector is incredibly important. Universities hold a wealth of personal and sensitive information about a large volume of people. It can include medical data and domestic information which is often required as part of meeting students’ individual needs.
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has issued a fine in the wake of a documentary that was filmed that led to the Addenbrooke’s Hospital data breach relating to patient consent.
London-based production company behind the filming, True Visions Productions (TVP), were fined £120,000.00 for unlawfully filming in a maternity clinic. As the incidents took place before GDPR, they have been fined in accordance with the previous rules where maximum fines could reach up to £500,000.00; unlike the recent record-setting fine of £183m issued to British Airways.
Filming took place between 24th July 2017 and 29th November 2017 and ceased following complaints received by the ICO. The ICO said: “A patient attending the clinic would not have reasonably expected there to be cameras in examination rooms and would expect to be made aware of any filming.”
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