‘Data theft’ probe after Haslingden IT firm burglary (From Lancashire Telegraph)
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‘Data theft’ probe after Haslingden IT firm burglary
2:10pm Thursday 1st March 2012 in Crime news
By Vanessa Cornall, Crime reporter
AN IT company is being investigated over a possible data breach following a burglary.
Avnet Technology Solutions, St Crispin Way, Haslingden, was targeted by thieves who stole hard drives containing confidential customer, staff and traders details.
An investigation has now been launched by the Information Commissioner’s Office.
Some of the data is understood to include bank accounts and sort codes details of employees who travelled abroad with work.
A spokesman for Avnet said: “We take the security of our facilities and data very seriously. Unfortunately on December 21, there was a break-in at our Haslingden offices and computer hard disk drives were stolen that contained some archived customer, supplier and employee data.
“The stolen data was archived from Bell Micro, which Avnet acquired in July 2010. Based on our preliminary review of the stolen data, we have determined that the risk posed by the theft is low.
"We take any breach of our security seriously and we are working closely with the police and local authorities to identify and arrest any and all individuals involved with this theft.”
Avnet has revealed it is also conducting an internal investigation in a bid to prevent future burglaries.
The number of hard drives stolen or the amount of data on staff, employees and vendors was not confirmed.
Avnet Technology Solutions is a distributor of enterprise-computing products, software and services in 34 countries.
A spokesman for the Information Commissioners Office, the UK’s independent authority set up to uphold information rights in the public interest, said: “We have recently been informed of a possible data breach which may involve Avnet Technology Solutions.
“We will be making enquiries into the circumstances of the alleged breach of the Data Protection Act before deciding what action, if any, needs to be taken.”
