Data security breaches increased in last three months

376 data breaches have occurred since the loss of 25 million child benefit records in 2007

Companies and government bodies have reported a significant increase in the number of data breaches in the past three months, according to the latest figures from the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).

Ninety-nine incidents in the public and private sector have occurred since November 2008, compared to 277 breaches in the previous 12 months.

The private sector, NHS, central government and local government have all reported significant numbers of incidents to the ICO. Some 112 of the 376 breaches since November 2007 took place in the private sector, with the NHS responsible for 102.

Central government and local government are responsible for 46 and 44 breaches respectively in the same time period.

"Organisations that fail to take data protection seriously risk losing the trust and confidence of the public," said the ICO in a statement.

Paula Barrett, head of the data protection group at international law firm Eversheds, said the apparent increase in incidents reported could be down to greater awareness, rather than a growth in the actual number of data breaches.

"Some of the increase in reports to the ICO might simply be a feature of raised awareness and indeed compliance with the ICO's own guidance on what to do in the event of a breach, rather than an increase in security incidents themselves," she said.