The importance of data security in the workplace when dealing with another person's information is paramount, according to a representative of an organisation led by the government.

Every possible issue must be addressed when approaching personal data such as how many people can access the data and if people are logging in properly, according to Tony Neate, who heads the Get Safe Online initiative.

The scheme is being run between the government and the Serious Organised Crime Agency and recently enjoyed Get Safe Online Week, which aimed to make people aware of data security.

Mr Neate said that to make sure that there are no problems which could allow other people to get hold of the data, anti-virus and anti-spyware checks should regularly be carried out on the system.

"Not only are you holding people's personal information, you are also holding their financial information so you need to protect yourself even more in relation to that," Mr Neate concluded.

Microsoft, HSBC, Cable and Wireless and subsidiary of eBay PayPal are among the sponsors for the Get Safe Online initiative.

More than half of small businesses (53 per cent) believe that the most important benefit of outsourcing is guaranteed response times for IT support. London-based Connect conducted the research in 2007.