PSNI 'disappointed' as £750k data breach fine upheld

The surnames, initials, rank and roles of the personnel were released under a freedom of information (FoI) request and published online for several hours.

The details were later obtained by dissident republicans.

The ICO had previously stated the fine would have been £5.6m had it not applied discretion.

This allows for lower fines when public bodies are involved, given payment comes from the public purse.

The £750,000 fine is the largest it has ever imposed on a public body in the UK.

Information commissioner John Edwards said it was "impossible to imagine the fear and uncertainty this breach caused PSNI officers and staff".

“A lack of simple internal administration procedures resulted in the personal details of an entire workforce, many of whom had made great sacrifices to conceal their employment, being exposed," he said.

“Whilst I am aware of the financial pressures facing PSNI, my role as commissioner is to take action to protect people’s information rights and this includes issuing proportionate, dissuasive fines.

“I am satisfied, with the application of the public sector approach, this has been achieved in this case.”

Mr Boutcher said the fine would “further compound” the PSNI’s financial situation.

It currently has a £34m shortfall in its budget.

“As a service we are in a different place today than we were last August and we have continued to work tirelessly to devalue the compromised dataset by introducing a number of measures for officers and staff," he said.

“We have provided significant crime prevention advice to our officers and staff and their families via online tools, advice clinics and home visits.”

The Police Federation also expressed disappointment at the fine.

“A fine of this magnitude on an already cash-strapped PSNI will have a negative impact on the organisation," its chairman Liam Kelly said.

“We would have preferred if PSNI could have been permitted to alternatively spend the funds on enhancing its data security and provide much needed reinvestment in community initiatives such as road safety and CCTV partnerships with councils.”

The PSNI is currently involved in settling a damages case brought by up to 7,000 of those impacted.