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After finding that 19 of 46 Government data matching programmes transferred unencrypted information, measures are now being beefed up to ensure better security.
Government agencies have stepped up IT security measures by using encryption when transferring data, following a review of the processes in February.
Privacy Commissioner Marie Shroff initiated the review of data matching programme security following major data breaches in Britain late last year.
The breaches involved tens of millions of records lost in transit between government departments and compromised the personal details of millions of British families.
Ms Shroff said today enhanced security was now compulsory when New Zealand government agencies transferred data to other agencies for authorised information matching programmes.
Of the 46 authorised government data matching programmes operating in February, 19 transferred data in electronic form on digital media without encryption. Now, only three remain unencrypted.
"I have been advised that all files transferred on CD for authorised information matching programmes are now encrypted," Ms Shroff said.
One file transfer had been shifted to an on-line, encrypted transfer.
While Inland Revenue was using tape transfers that were not encrypted, it was in the process of getting specialist computer equipment to change that.
- NZPA
