Privacy Protection is a Sound Investment

Without integrity and confidentiality the finance industry would loose credibility and trust, with severe impact on business profits. The very nature of financial business - company accounts, payroll, commercial and personal investment, taxation information - is sensitive. As well as a moral obligation, under the Data Protection Act companies and practitioners are legally bound to protect this data.

A 3M™ Privacy Filter helps with compliance by restricting the viewing angles of computer screens so that only the user can see the data. People sitting on either side (shoulder surfing) see only a black screen.

Privacy in Practice

Customer confidentiality has always been a top priority for Nationwide Building Society: not only to securely maintain personal details, but for customers to feel confident about privacy. Last October, when the New Provisions of the Data Protection Act (1998) came into effect, Nationwide committed to invest even more comprehensively in privacy protection.
Of key concern was data displayed on flat screens at branch customer reception points and interview desks, as well as computers used by customers for online banking transactions.

"We conducted an extensive trial of 3M™ Privacy Filters at three branches and the results were excellent, minimising our display screen privacy concerns," explained Nicholas Warren, design consultant to Nationwide Building Society. "The improved clarity of the latest flat screens allows data to be easily read. Privacy has become a serious issue."

They are now formalised as the recommended product at Nationwide Building Society for any flat screen where there is a privacy problem. Staff and customers like them, they are easy to attach and do not inhibit appearance. In the last four months over 100 have been installed in Nationwide branches.

Despite 83 percent of UK companies stating information security is either a high or very high priority, 39 percent have suffered from outsiders gaining unauthorised access to their data, including theft of confidential information.

When computing in public places, it can be almost impossible to ensure computer secrets do not get into the wrong hands. An alarming 89 percent of business travellers admit to snooping. 3M™ Privacy Filters are available for laptop as well as desktop computer (flat-screen LCD/TFT or traditional CRT) monitors.

Privacy Compliance

The new provisions of the Data Protection Act (1998) made important changes to the current law governing the collection, storage and use of personal data in the UK. Similar to the 1984 Act, it is more focused on the protection of personal (especially sensitive) data and the individuals’ rights.

The Act states: ‘Appropriate technical and organisational measures shall be taken against unauthorised or unlawful processing of personal data and against accidental loss or destruction of, or damage to, personal data.’

There are a variety of solutions to control access to information from bio-metric authentication devices and software passwords to access cards, but these will not stop someone viewing on-screen data whilst it is being processed. A Privacy Filter does.

The implications of a loose privacy strategy are far-reaching. As well as loss of company intellectual policy, mistrust and loss of loyalty from customers, the impact on employee morale and potential damaging publicity, the legal costs can also be extensive.

A data subject can sue for damage or distress suffered from contravention of any part of the Act. The subject is entitled to compensation in the instance where the data controller cannot prove that reasonable care had been taken to ensure compliance. Employers are especially vulnerable to liability if employee records are stolen due to a failure to properly safeguard sensitive information.

For further information on Privacy Filters

call 3M on 01234 229470
e-mail HideAndSeek@mmm.com
or refer to the website: www.3m.com/computerfilters.