1. General Purpose Packages
The Law of Information
General Purpose Packages

2. Why Do We Need Laws?
Flow of information A wide area network such as the Internet allows users to access and share the same information from anywhere in the world. The exchange of accurate and up to date information can help to make a company more efficient.
However this information could possibly get into the wrong hands

3. Why Do We Need Laws? Personal Privacy
With all this information potentially changing hands some people are very worried that information about them could be accessed.
What if the data held about YOU was incorrect or out of date. How might it affect you?
So we have the Data Protection Act. It was brought in to protect people and their personal data. The act was introduced in 1984 and updated in 1998.

4. Data Protection Act 1984 Data Controller Data User Data Subject
The person, business or organisation controlling the collection, contents and use of personal data. E.g. The school
Data User
An authorised user within the organisation or business. E.g. The teacher.
Data Subject
The people who have information held
about them. E.g. YOU!
Data Protection Register
Holds the details about who holds information
on members of the public.
This can be found in a public library.

5. The data protection principals
Data Protection Act 1984
The data protection principals
Data must be:
Obtained Lawfully & Fairly
Held for reasons listed by data user
Used for reasons listed by data user
Adequate, relevant & not excessive
Accurate & up-to-date
Kept no longer than necessary
Made available to data subject on request
Protected against unauthorised use.

6. Data Protection Act 1984 Data Subject Rights
The Data Subject has the right to:
Know what & why information held about them.
Inspect the information
Have incorrect information changed
Apply for compensation if incorrect information has causes distress.
Certain exceptions exist, for example the police, government and your doctor do not need to show you this information.

7. Computer Misuse Act 1990 It is illegal to:
Access computer material without authorisation
Unauthorised access with intent to commit other offences

8. Computer Misuse Act 1990
Unauthorised modification of computer material
Changing software or data to perform different operations or changes the content.
Preventing access to authorised users
Interfering with system so that it doesn’t run properly
Penalties are up to five years in
prison and fines!

9. Precautions
Once data is stored in the computer system the data controller must protect it against loss or damage.
This can be done by:
Creating regular backups including multiple copies.
Taking measures to prevent unauthorised hacking.

10. Data Security Measures
Physical security measures
Fit security locks on computer rooms
Have security keys on computer workstations
Install workstations without disk drives

11. Data Security Measures
System security measures
Set up IDs and passwords for access to different levels
Encode data (encryption)
Install anti-virus software
Use audit software to trace who has accessed accounts
Advanced security systems
fingerprint or voice recognition

12. Computer Designs & Patents Act 1988
Most published material (including text, images, video, music, software etc) is protected by the Copyright, Design and Patents Act 1988.

13. Computer Designs & Patents Act 1988
Copyright may be infringed if you:
Copy a work (including scanning or storing electronically)
Issue copies to the public
Perform, show or play the work in public
Broadcast the work or include it in a cable programme
Make an adaptation of the work

14. Computer Designs & Patents Act 1988
If you do any of these without permission, you are liable to be held personally responsible. Infringing the law may be a criminal offence.
To avoid this always ask permission first!