Given the range of high-profile losses which have taken place in the last year, it will not be easy for the government to convince the general public to handle personal data successfully, it has been stated.

Isabella Sankey, director of policy at the independent human rights organisation Liberty, said the government has a lot of work ahead of it if it is to keep sensitive data under trustworthy safeguards.

She asserted that people in the country are more concerned about the security of their data due to such large-scale problems as those exampled by HM Revenue & Customs over child benefits.

"I think these very practical concerns are making people seriously think 'how much information does the state have on me and how are they dealing with this information?'" Ms Sankey added.

According to the Report on Information Commissioner's Office Annual track 2008, businesses are increasingly optimistic about data security as well as freedom of information.

According to a recent survey by Connect, the two biggest IT headaches for businesses were 'everyday hassles with IT' (37 per cent) and 'security concerns' (32 per cent).