Outsourcing firm Capita fined £14m after millions had data stolen

Capita, a major UK outsourcing firm, has been fined £14 million by the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) following a data breach that affected millions of individuals. The breach occurred when the personal data of Capita's clients was stolen, including sensitive information such as names, addresses, and financial details. The ICO found that Capita had failed to implement adequate security measures to protect the data in its care, leading to the breach. The company has accepted liability and acknowledged its failure to meet the required data protection standards. The fine, one of the largest ever issued by the ICO, is intended to serve as a strong deterrent against similar data protection failures in the future. The incident highlights the importance of robust data security practices, especially for organizations entrusted with the personal information of their clients. The data breach has raised concerns about the security of outsourced services and the need for stricter oversight and accountability in the outsourcing industry. The case serves as a reminder of the significant consequences that can arise from lapses in data protection.