Data security incidents or breaches in specified years: FOI release

Information requested

1.     The number of data security incidents or breaches at the Scottish Government in 2018-19
2.     The number of data security incidents or breaches at the Scottish Government in 2017-18
3.     The number of data security incidents or breaches at the Scottish Government in 2016-17
4.     The number of data security incidents or breaches at the Scottish Government in 2015-16
5.     The number of data security incidents or breaches at the Scottish Government in 2014-15

Response

 

For awareness – ahead of the introduction of new General Data Protection Regulation legislation in 2018 our parameters for reporting incidents changed; new processes and procedures were introduced; and education and training was strengthened. This has contributed to what appears as an increase in recorded incidents.  This trend has been widely observed, with the Information Commissioners Office reporting a significant increase in breaches reported to them by UK organisations during 2018.

1.    The number of data security incidents or breaches at the Scottish Government in 2018-19

57 incidents. Source - SG Internal Security Incident Reporting Tool (2018/19 Consolidated Accounts are not yet published).  This figure does not include Executive Agencies. 

2.    The number of data security incidents or breaches at the Scottish Government in 2017-18

18 incidents. Source - Consolidated Accounts - https://www2.gov.scot/Resource/0054/00540845.pdf 

3.      The number of data security incidents or breaches at the Scottish Government in 2016-17

4 incidents. Source - Consolidated Accounts - https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-government-consolidated-accounts-year-ended-31-march-2017/pages/3/

4.    The number of data security incidents or breaches at the Scottish Government in 2015-16

4 incidents. Source - Consolidated Accounts - https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-government-consolidated-accounts-2015-16/pages/3/

5.    The number of data security incidents or breaches at the Scottish Government in 2014-15

5 incidents. Source - Consolidated Accounts - https://www.webarchive.org.uk/wayback/archive/20170116071518/http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/10/3786/319357

 

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