Research shows small businesses confused by Data Protection Act

13:00 2nd December 2008

Small businesses are slow to realise the importance of implementing IT systems in order to prevent data loss, according to a study.

Research undertaken by YouGov has shown that SMEs are confused by the Data Protection Act and as a result are not fully complying with the Act.

Small businesses are currently feeling the pressure of the economic downturn and as a result are not investing in IT training or IT systems to prevent breaches in data security and therefore may fall foul of the Act.

David Morgan chief executive of Invu, which commissioned the research, told SMEWeb: "The premise of the Data Protection Act is very solid but implementing and managing it is not quite so clear, so it's little wonder that many SMEs are confused."

He added that small businesses are often grappling with time and resource pressures and in an effort to put money-saving measures in place may leave their IT infrastructure vulnerable.

Last week (November 24th) the Information Commissioner was granted tough new powers to ensure companies were complying with the Data Protection Act.