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Un-encrypted device with criminal data lost

The importance of having proper security, such as data encryption, has been highlighted once more following embarrassing revelations that a memory device with prisoner data has gone missing.

Private firm PA Consulting, a Home Office contractor is said to have lost details of 84,000 prisoners in England and Wales, which were contained in a memory stick that was not encrypted.

The loss has been roundly condemned by politicians with ministers being accused of "massive failure of duty".

Home addresses of some 33,000 criminals as well as information on 10,000 prolific and priority offenders is said to have been contained in the memory stick, which the consultancy had as part of research.

This is the latest in a string of mishaps involving data loss by government officials.

Previous widely reported cases include the theft of un-encrypted laptops with sensitive data, lost computer discs and an incident involving terror related information being left on a train.

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