Data Protection
Personal information for business use needs to comply with the rules of the Data Protection Act 1998, regardless of the 'system' of document management. Indeed a secure imaging system can help with compliance as for personal and confidential data it reduces the opportunity for theft or accidental loss. It can also facilitate the execution of requests for such data are easily met.
The Act enshrines 8 principles:
1. Personal data shall be processed fairly and lawfully
2. Personal data shall be obtained only for one or more specified and lawful purposes, and shall not be further processed in any manner incompatible with that purpose or those purposes.
3. Personal data shall be adequate, relevant and not excessive in relation to the purpose or purposes for which they are processed.
4. Personal data shall be accurate and, where necessary, kept up to date.
5. Personal data processed for any purpose or purposes shall not be kept for longer than is necessary for that purpose or those purposes.
6. Personal data shall be processed in accordance with the rights of data subjects under this Act.
7. Appropriate technical and organisational measures shall be taken against unauthorised or unlawful processing of personal data and against accidental loss or destruction of, or damage to, personal data.
8. Personal data shall not be transferred to a country or territory outside the European Economic Area unless that country or territory ensures an adequate level of protection for the rights and freedoms of data subjects in relation to the processing of personal data.
Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act
The Freedom Of Information (Scotland) Act came into force on 1st January 2005 and will ensure that any person requesting information from a public body will receive that information, subject to certain exemptions. The Act encourages public authorities to be more open and accountable, and to organise their information in an efficient and accessible way.