How do I report a breach?
If your organisation has experienced a data breach our personal data breach helpline staff can offer you advice about what to do next, including how to contain it and how to stop it happening again. We can also offer advice about whether you need to tell the data subjects involved.
If you have an impairment and might need a service adjustment, please let us know.
Self-assessment
Take our self-assessment to help determine whether your organisation needs to report to the ICO. (If you have already completed the self-assessment, continue to read this page.)
To report a breach, call our helpline. Our normal opening hours are Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm. When you call we will record the breach and give you advice about what to do next. If you would like to report a breach outside of these hours, you can report online. Unless you can’t access your system, you should report cyber incidents online. For more information about how we use your personal information, see our privacy notice.
Call us on 0303 123 1113.
What information will I need to provide?
When you phone, we'll ask you questions about:
- what has happened;
- when and how you found out about the breach;
- the people that have been or may be affected by the breach;
- what you are doing as a result of the breach; and
- who we should contact if we need more information and who else you have told.
You should ensure the information provided is accurate and supply us with as much detail as possible. We'll send you a copy of the information you give us.
Can I report a breach online?
If you have experienced a data breach and need to report it to the ICO but you’re confident you have dealt with it appropriately, you may prefer to report it online. You may also want to report a breach online if you are still investigating and will be able to provide more information at a later date. The online form can also be used to report breaches outside our normal opening hours. Unless you can’t access your system, you should report cyber incidents online.
Ffurflen hysbysu toriad diogelwch data (Cliciwch dde ar y ddolen a dewiswch 'Save Link As' neu 'Save Target As' i lawrwytho'r ffurflen cyn cychwyn.)
If you are reporting online please make sure you include the telephone number of someone familiar with the breach, in case we need to follow up with you about any of the information provided.
We have also created a guide to help you complete the personal data breach reporting form. Right click on the link and select 'Save Link As' or 'Save Target as' to download the guide.