Stolen memory stick creates major data security breach

A police force has been fined £120,000 following the theft of a memory stick containing names of members of the public who gave statements in drug probes. The unencrypted device with no password protection was stolen from an officer's home and had details of 1,075 people with links to serious crime investigations stored over an 11-year-period.

The USB drive, belonging to the Greater Manchester Police drugs squad detective, is also understood to have included details of police operations, potential targets for arrest and names of officers.

It has not been recovered following the burglary at his home in July 2011 when his wallet, containing the stick, and his car keys were taken from his kitchen table.

The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) said the consequences of the security breach "send a shiver down the spine".

For the full story from The Independent, click here

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