Interview for „IT w Administracji” („IT in Administration”) magazine, 23 February 2010

Michał Serzycki, the Inspector General for Personal Data Protection explained how authorities should protect personal data processed by them, in particular in computer systems. He also gave examples of the most common mistakes in this regard.

GIODO presented also a new attitude to the definition of personal data. He explained that in the era of development of modern technologies more and more information should be regarded as personal data. In certain situations the latter include IP number, cookies, nick or login. GIODO clarified which duties the mentioned situation entailed for data controllers, including authorities.

When asked about the fact who should fulfil the role of administrator of information security he replied that the discussion on that subject had been carried on in the industry for a long time. In GIODO’s view at present it was difficult to unambiguously determine whether the said role should be fulfilled by a lawyer or by an IT specialist. However, if this function is fulfilled by a lawyer, then this person shall have IT knowledge and vice versa – believes Michał Serzycki.

The interview shall be published in the March edition of the magazine.