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Businesses still 'at great risk' from data breaches, study warns

Despite a growing awareness of the problem, businesses of all sizes remain at serious risk from data security breaches, a new report from a leading consultancy firm has warned.

Research carried out by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) for its 'Data Loss Prevention: Keeping Sensitive Data Out of the Wrong Hands' report found that just one in two firm across the UK and Ireland currently have a policy on data protection in place, with a similar proportion having no set rules on disclosing breaches or losses.

What's more, while two in three of those polled revealed that they routinely encrypt data when it is mobile, a significant proportion have yet to encrypt their static databases or back-up data, the study also found.

Announcing the launch of the report, PwC Ireland spokesman Ciaran Kelly said: "With consumers and regulators demanding more control over sensitive data than ever, it is clear that now is the time to start better protecting your company's customer data."

Just recently, a study carried out by the website moneysupermarket.com found a similar level of complacency among consumers, with one in five using the same password for all their online accounts.

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