Data Protection License

In order to properly and securely back up your data, you will need to have some sort of program to do this, such as a data back up program. This program will safely transfer your data from your computer up to a secure spot on your computer where you will be able to copy this information onto a cd, or up to space on a secure server online.

No matter how you backup your information you are going to need to obtain a data protection license for the software that you purchase. This data protection license will give you permission for using their software, and without it the software is useless.

Just look at the eight principles information-handling practice. These are listed below. The key requirements are:

- Data may only be used for the specific purposes for which it was collected.

- Data must not be disclosed to other parties without the consent of the individual whom it is about, unless there is legislation or other overriding legitimate reason to share the information (for example, the prevention or detection of crime).

- Individuals have a right of access to the information held about them, subject to certain exceptions (for example, information held for the prevention or detection of crime).

- Personal information may be kept for no longer than is necessary.

- Personal information may not be transmitted outside the EEA unless the individual whom it is about has consented or adequate protection is in place, for example by the use of a prescribed form of contract to govern the transmission of the data.

- Subject to some exceptions for organisations that only do very simple processing, and for domestic use, all entities that process personal information must register with the Information Commissioner.

- Entities holding personal information are required to have adequate security measures in place. Those include technical measures (such as firewalls) and organisational measures (such as staff training).

If you do not follow these principles exactly as they are then you will be in violation of breaking the data protection act, and you will suffer some sort of penalty because of it. So it’s important for yourself and your business that you read and understand the principles of the act. There are many companies out there that will help to give you guidance so that you can better understand what you can and cannot do under this act. Your customer’s information is private, and must remain that way.