All of bank’s laptops to be encrypted

All Bank of Ireland Life laptops have now been encrypted and all laptops in the group would be encrypted by the end of next month, it has been announced.

Details relating to 31,500 policies, policy applications and a small number of mortgage customers were on four stolen Bank of Ireland Life laptops.

A spokesperson stated they had briefed the Financial Regulator and the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner and would be co-operating fully with the Data Protection Commissioner.

A risk assessment had concluded that the risk of fraud arising from the theft of the information on the laptops was very low.

The data on the laptops did not include bank account passwords, PIN numbers or copies of signatures.

Letters would be sent to customers outlining the type of personal data that was contained on the computer in relation to them. For security reasons, the details will not be included but these will be provided to each customer if requested.

A free phone number has now been set up on 1800 365 100 and the lines are open from 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.

In the unlikely event of a fraud arising as a direct result of the theft of these laptops, the customer will be fully compensated.

All Bank of Ireland Life laptops are now encrypted and all laptops in the group will be encrypted by end May 2008.

Monitoring of additional accounts identified in the past week for fraudulent and suspicious activity has been completed and no evidence of fraudulent activity arising from this incident has been found.

Article courtesy of The Evening Echo