Identity theft on the rise

Fresh concerns have been raised about the security of information held by Companies House, after a leading credit agency warned that it was aware of more than 100 cases of theft of auditors' identities.

Companies House is pushing through proposals to improve security following revelations of widespread theft of auditors’ identities. But it will be at least two years before processes to control data quality are in place.

Martin Williams, managing director at business credit check agency Graydon, says the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) had been made aware as long as five years ago of the need to improve quality assurance.

A spokesman for Companies House says that its new online filing system enables more secure filing of directors’ data. The DTI says that, since 2000, it has taken a number of steps to protect companies.

Toshiba HD-DVD tops Blu-ray

Toshiba has announced that it has perfected a double-sided 30GB HD-DVD disc, doubling the previous capacity of its next-generation DVD format.

The new design was approved by the DVD Forum’s Steering Committee this month, and the discs will be available in the spring of next year.

Toshiba’s move is important because capacity is one of the chief advantages of the rival Blu-ray system, which is backed by Sony. Blu-ray discs can store up to 25GB and have already attracted interest from a number of important parties, including Hollywood film studios and games publishers.

HD-DVD has some Hollywood backing, along with the crucial support of the adult video industry, which was critical in the success of VHS over Betamax and the rise of DVD.