William Hill improves data security

Gambling firm encrypts laptops

Betting group William Hill is boosting information security via the rollout of encryption software in staff laptops as part of a strategic data protection plan.

The PGP Corporation-supplied software replaces a system that slowed laptop performance and hampered compliance with Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) requirements.

Part of the group’s strategy also includes the consolidation of encryption systems.

“We want just one, central management server that can control all encryption applications, rather than lots of dispersed, siloed environments,” said William Hill's information systems security manager Nick Copley.

“We can now use the benefits of the encryption in other information areas in a holistic, single-vendor platform approach,” said Copley.

Earlier this year, William Hill reported negative results but said that further investment in IT was still on the cards.

"The limitations of our technology prevented us matching the increasing number of betting opportunities available from our competitors," said a statement from William Hill in February.

Although the company hoped to start its IT overhaul last year, the NextGen project was scrapped because it needed greater investment and would take longer than originally envisaged.

The decision resulted in losses of £20.9m in the 2007 results and further charges of about £4m expected to be incurred in 2008.