A greater number of people are devoting more time and attention to maintaining the security of their personal data, a new poll has shown.

In a survey commissioned by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), eight out of ten participants claimed they were taking measures to help secure the privacy of their data.

Meanwhile, three quarters of those quizzed said they were concerned over access to personal information and felt their data was vulnerable when in the possession of other organisations.

The poll follows a series of high-profile data blunders, including the loss of two discs which contained the personal details of 25 million child benefit claimants.

Of the 1,000 people surveyed, 53% said they had now lost confidence in the way the Government, local authorities and banks handled personal information.

David Smith, deputy commissioner at the ICO, said: ‘As more and more personal information is collected, the risk grows that some information will be inaccurate, out of date or end up in the wrong hands.

‘If organisations fail to recognise the importance of data protection they not only risk losing business, they could also face action from the ICO.’