Local authorities face the challenging task of managing ever-growing volumes of records. The 1998 Data Protection Act requires controllers of personal data to take appropriate measures to prevent data being accidentally or deliberately compromised If a local authority fails to comply with these measures and a serious data breach occurs, the organisation can face fines up to 500,000. There is also a lack of faith within local authorities about their organisations ability to manage large volumes of information securely and in accordance with data protection legislation.”]