Information security is a major issue for companies and organisations of all sizes.  The IT industry has done a good job in developing techniques that protect data - but there is one fundamental weakness in all of these security solutions - humans!

The NHS in the UK is a huge organisation with a mind boggling amount of data.  Unfortunately this means they have an awful lot of people doing stupid things with sensitive information.  A recent report from the UK Information Commissioner highlights the 140 security breaches the NHS has suffered between January & April 2009, including some fantastic examples of what not to do.  These brave people have made mistakes so you don't have to! Read & learn - it could save you a lot of embarrassment (and money) in the future.  

The latest Business Software Alliance annual global PC software piracy study shows that  Irish PC software piracy rate remains at 34%. This means that on average about one third of all PC software being used is pirated.

As a user you may say "so what?" However this could impact you in two ways.  In the long term it could affect the performance of various multi-nationals situated in Ireland who are losing revenue at a time when they really can't afford to. In the short term, this means that the software companies will be steping up their auditing and licence compliance activities, as they do when standard sales are sluggish. They are also backed up by local legislation that make company directors liable for software piracy.

When you get the knock at the door - it won't be pleasant, but it could be expensive.  This is a good time to make sure your house is in order.