A laptop containing personal data on more than 26,000 Marks & Spencer employees has been stolen, sparking concern over identity theft, it has been reported.
The retailer confirmed that the computer was stolen after it was given to a printing company in order to help send letters to workers concerning changes to pensions, website vnunet.com reports.
A security expert said that Marks & Spencer could have avoided the identity fraud scare by merely encrypting the employee information on the laptop – information which included salary details, addresses and both National Insurance and phone numbers.
European marketing director at email and data encryption firm PGP, Jamie Cowper, said: "Companies need to realise this before legislation in this area drives greater punishment.
"Laptops will continue to go missing, but whether they are lost or stolen is irrelevant as long as the data is protected only by a simple password that is easily compromised in the wrong hands."
Mr Cowper said that this was the latest in a long line of computer thefts at large companies, including Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust, the Metropolitan Police and the Nationwide Building Society.
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