OCR Cambridge Nationals in ICT Level 1/2 © Hodder & Stoughton 2013 1

Unit 1 Understanding computer systems:How legal, ethical, safety and security issues affect how computers should be used

Data loss

OCR Cambridge Nationals in ICT Level 1/2 © Hodder & Stoughton 2013 2

Unit 1 Understanding computer systems:How legal, ethical, safety and security issues affect how computers should be used

Legal implicationsImpact on customersImpact on employeesImpact on the business

Businesses such as supermarkets must make sure that the data they hold is kept safe and secure. If the data is lost or corrupted, the impact on the business and its customers can be serious.

Data Loss

OCR Cambridge Nationals in ICT Level 1/2 © Hodder & Stoughton 2013 3

Unit 1 Understanding computer systems:How legal, ethical, safety and security issues affect how computers should be used

Customers whose personal data is lost or stolen from a business will view the business as untrustworthy and stop using it.Stolen data may used to gain unauthorised access to a customer’s financial details or to steal the customer’s identity – identity theft.

Impact on customers

OCR Cambridge Nationals in ICT Level 1/2 © Hodder & Stoughton 2013 4

Unit 1 Understanding computer systems:How legal, ethical, safety and security issues affect how computers should be used

If an employee’s actions cause data to be lost or corrupted, the employee could:• face disciplinary action;• be demoted and be paid less;• be dismissed from the job;• be given a poor reference if they wanted another job;• face prosecution if the actions were deliberate.

Impact on employees

OCR Cambridge Nationals in ICT Level 1/2 © Hodder & Stoughton 2013 5

Unit 1 Understanding computer systems:How legal, ethical, safety and security issues affect how computers should be used

A business that loses data may not be able to carry on as a business and may close, may be sued by customers, or be subject to prosecution if the data is the personal data of their customers.Being sued or prosecuted may result in the business:

• having to increase the levels of its security on its computer systems and premises;

• paying compensation of many thousands of pounds;• being fined;• being seen as untrustworthy or incompetent or stopped

from trading altogether.

Impact on the business

OCR Cambridge Nationals in ICT Level 1/2 © Hodder & Stoughton 2013 6

Unit 1 Understanding computer systems:How legal, ethical, safety and security issues affect how computers should be used

The Data Protection Act (DPA) and the Computer Misuse Act (CMA) are two pieces of legislation that will apply if a business loses data.

Legal implications

OCR Cambridge Nationals in ICT Level 1/2 © Hodder & Stoughton 2013 7

Unit 1 Understanding computer systems:How legal, ethical, safety and security issues affect how computers should be used

The Data Protection Act (DPA) has a principle that requires personal data to be kept secure, so if a business loses data, this principle has been broken.Criminal proceedings may be brought against the business by the Information Commissioner and the business may be fined or have to pay compensation to individuals whose data has been lost.Full contents of the Data Protection Act are to be found on the UK Government website.

Data Protection Act (DPA)

OCR Cambridge Nationals in ICT Level 1/2 © Hodder & Stoughton 2013 8

Unit 1 Understanding computer systems:How legal, ethical, safety and security issues affect how computers should be used

The Computer Misuse Act (CMA) applies if the data has been stolen. If the thief (a hacker or even an employee) is found, then the business can allow the police to prosecute the thief.The thief could face a fine or imprisonment, and have to pay compensation to the business.Full contents of the Computer Misuse Act are to be found on the UK Government website.

Computer Misuse Act (CMA)