Human error still biggest cause of data breaches

Wednesday 09 June 2021

There were 32 personal data breaches picked up by the Office of the Data Protection Authority in the last two months.

This is consistent with previous records of data breaches highlighted to the authority in the past.

The biggest issue continues to be people sending important information to the wrong recipients. The data was collected between 1 March and 30 April, with 17 incorrect addresses being emailed sensitive data.

Pictured: The ODPA regularly publishes data breach information.

“This period’s statistics are in line with the established trend: the numbers are not increasing,” said the Bailiwick’s Data Protection Commissioner, Emma Martins.

“It is what people, not systems, do that is the biggest factor in most data breaches reported to us.

“Protecting data well is first and foremost a human issue and armed with that knowledge there is a great deal that we can all do to reduce the risk,” she said.

Pictured: The ODPA breaks down the reported data breaches it gets into nine categories.

“The ODPA aims to be transparent,” said Mrs Martins.

“Building a culture of honest and constructive learning can help us all to work towards higher standards of compliance,” she said.

You can learn more about avoiding human error in an ODPA online seminar.