Data Protection - Everybody's Business: A Practical Guide for Professionals and Business Managers (BCS Practical Guides)

Whilst the Millennium problem has received considerable media coverage the Data Protection issue has almost slipped by unnoticed. A European Directive and the continuing evolution of information systems rendered the 1984 Act ineffective, forcing legislators to respond. There can be little doubt such legislation was necessary and entirely justified. The Data Protection Act 1998 came into force on 1 March 2000 and with it is a new set of requirements that are imposed upon almost every firm in the country. The recognition of this led the British Computer Society to commission a publication addressing the issues raised in the new law. There is a daunting task facing those with the responsibility of ensuring compliance. This book is designed for those who have neither the time, nor the inclination to wade through pages of statutes and case law. Written in a simple question and answer style "Data Protection - everybody's business" aims not simply to introduce the regulation, but to help ensure you achieve your objectives legally. The book is a practical guide to the new 1998 legislation. It is not intended as a Data Protection reference work but more a practical guide to the key issues of Data Protection. It is written as an introduction to Data Protection for anyone involved in the processing of personal data. This could be an IT or marketing manager in a large multi-national or one-person enterprise.