To report myself at work?

[Moltenpink]

Someone has just sent me an email saying I have sent them someone else’s personal information instead of their own.

I have apologised & sent the correct details. Would you report yourself for the data breach or hope for the best??

YANBU- own up
YABU- hope you get away with it

Yes you must report it. Mistakes happen, but the correct procedures need to be followed to minimise the impact and make sure appropriate bodies are notified.

Absolutely, I self-reported once when, in a distracted moment, I didn't realise that some personal info included in an email was potentially sensitive. I reported myself immediately, and apologised to the people involved, who were really sweet about it. No repurcussions, though I assume there might have been if I'd tried to cover it up.

Data protection is a huge issue so glad you have reported. Less likely to get into trouble. I went into something at work and as soon as I did I realised it concerned a family member. I came straight out of it and emailed my boss the details just in case. It was part of my role so I wouldn’t have been in trouble but as soon as I realised what it concerned I had a duty to recuse myself from it. It is always best to be up front. I hope you just get thanked for bringing to their attention. Words of advice not even needed as you have already accepted your error.

Yanbu you definitely need to report. So sorry it happened, these things do but I bet you feel sick - hope that it works out ok.

yep report yourself. tell them what happened, and how you will try and ensure it doesn't happen again (password protecting documents, removing auto fill from email "to" fields etc)

What's the results?

I saw it as a bit of me covering my arse in case the notebook had fallen into the wrong hands, but it probably ended up in the bin.

Looks like it was a good opportunity for someone to cover their arse by removiy your stuff from the locker.

@WitchesBritchesPumpkinPants

It's better to admit to it & put something in place so it doesn't happen again.

It's all getting a bit ridiculous though. I got a letter yesterday from 'a car company' (I'll save them their blushes), admitting to a 'data breach'. Someone accidentally sent a list of
Names/addresses/phone numbers to someone external, rather than internal

NO financial information, no details of car purchased (I didn't buy from them)

The letter waffled on about systems put in place to stop it happening again, the person destroyed all contact details, yadda yadda.

Name/address/phone number -so what?

Utter madness, waste of resources & time.

The thing is to you thats not a huge deal. There are some people who would be very concerned to learn that their phone and address and name had been given to an external party, and the company cant tell who is and isnt in that group. So it is good practise to notify everyone affected.

Own uo, tell them wht you've done and ask if there's anything else they think you need to do.

Makes you look responsible and trustworthy.

We all mess up, OP.

Apologies for my awful typos.

"Own up", is what I meant

I'd own up. If no harm is done it's not a big issue provided it's correctly dealt with, the cover up is a much bigger problem. Plus you'd have to live with wondering if you'll get found out.

You have done the right thing, I have had to self report a data breach before and it's horrible I know but it will hang over you otherwise, hope all goes ok

@Hawkins001

What's the results?

It wasn’t too bad, my boss actually had a good idea to prevent it happening again which we can implement straight away, so it worked out ok.

That's great news. Always better to own up and hold your hands up than have the dread of discovery hanging over you.

I want to know who the 11% are saying don't own up!

Was this on your personal laptop working from home?
My work haven't helped us at all working from home just expected us to have all the equipment and I have to use my personal laptop which broke a few months back so have to fork out for a new one.
If you accidentally sent it because you're forced to use your private laptop due to working from home then really it's not your fault.

Report myself, a mistake I own up to and ensure has been logged and addressed is one thing, lying is another.

@WitchesBritchesPumpkinPants

It's better to admit to it & put something in place so it doesn't happen again.

It's all getting a bit ridiculous though. I got a letter yesterday from 'a car company' (I'll save them their blushes), admitting to a 'data breach'. Someone accidentally sent a list of
Names/addresses/phone numbers to someone external, rather than internal

NO financial information, no details of car purchased (I didn't buy from them)

The letter waffled on about systems put in place to stop it happening again, the person destroyed all contact details, yadda yadda.

Name/address/phone number -so what?

Utter madness, waste of resources & time.

Except that if it's to an external person then it's out of the company's control. On the minor side, that other company could then input it into their systems and use it for unsolicited advertising. Or they could be a competitor and use it to steal business. On the more major side, you don't have any idea of the recipient's internet security. If they are hacked or share things inappropriately, one of the 'just names and addresses' on that list could be a woman fleeing domestic abuse, or a doctor who provides abortions or someone who is in the public eye and can then be targeted at their home. Data protection is so important and so hard won in Europe, it's a massive pain to.administrate on the technical side, but it's something to be grateful about.