ICO Reports 22,000 Data Breaches: Health Sector Tops List
The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has received nearly 22,000 data breach reports from businesses and public sector organizations between 2023 and the first quarter of 2025. The health sector tops the list with over 3,800 reports, highlighting the need for robust data protection measures.
The ICO witnessed a surge in reports during the fourth quarter of both 2023 and 2024, with November being the peak month. Organizations must report breaches within 72 hours if they pose a risk to individuals' rights and freedoms. The ICO then reviews the response and provides guidance or takes enforcement action as needed.
Chris Britton, People Experience Director at Reward Gateway | Edenred, advises prioritizing employee wellbeing and engagement to mitigate data breach risks. He suggests encouraging work-life balance, building employee loyalty, involving HR in incident response planning, and providing dedicated, real-time training. Despite the impact on employee morale and productivity, these aspects are often overlooked.
With the health sector leading in data breach reports, organizations must strengthen their data protection measures. Prioritizing employee wellbeing and engagement, as suggested by Chris Britton, can help mitigate risks and minimize the impact of data breaches.
