Report: Data-leak prevention lacking in Canada

Contributed by Roumiana Deltcheva (Wednesday, November 17, 2010) | Category : Email security

Data breaches are on the rise in Canada, and the government may be most to blame for poor data-leak prevention, according to a new survey from the Telus and the Rotman School of Management.

According to the school, data breaches are up 29 percent in 2010. The Canadian government holds the dubious distinction of leading the way with a 74 percent reported increase in breaches. Government agencies have experienced an average of 22.4 breaches this year, which is about double the number suffered by private-sector organizations.

"This growing increase is partially explained by a late but focused investment into detective and reporting capabilities, thereby increasing the number of breaches that have become visible to government entities," states the report.

However, the cost of data breaches has dropped 78 percent this year, compared to 2009. According to the report, this is because improved data-leak prevention technologies better allow companies to contain the scope of breaches.

Over the summer, the Canadian Parliament tried to address data security concerns by passing an amendment to the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act, which forces organizations to notify potential victims of data breaches.