Key Takeaways
- An integrity breach under UK GDPR means unauthorised or accidental alteration of personal data, threatening its accuracy or reliability.
- Even if data never leaves your business, accidental changes or tampering can be classed as an integrity breach.
- Failing to handle integrity breaches correctly can result in ICO fines, damage your reputation, and destroy customer trust.
- Article 5(1)(f) of UK GDPR requires you to keep personal data accurate, up-to-date, and secure at all times.
- If an integrity breach puts individuals’ rights or freedoms at risk, you must report it to the ICO within 72 hours.
- Key steps after a breach: contain the incident, assess risks, document fully, and prepare a thorough breach report.
- Strong technical and organisational safeguards are vital for preventing breaches and proving GDPR compliance (Recital 39).
- Data controllers and processors share duties following an integrity breach, including prompt record-keeping and reporting.
- Go-Legal AI offers tailored templates and step-by-step tools to help your business manage GDPR obligations quickly and affordably.
- Go-Legal AI is rated Excellent on Trustpilot with over 170 five-star reviews.
What Is an Integrity Breach Under UK GDPR?
Many business owners assume only large data leaks or hacking incidents put them at risk of penalties. In reality, even simple mistakes—like updating customer information with the wrong details—can count as an integrity breach under the UK GDPR. These incidents can trigger regulatory reporting duties and expose your business to serious consequences.
An integrity breach means personal data has been unauthorisedly or accidentally altered, which compromises its accuracy or reliability. According to Article 5(1)(f) UK GDPR, you must process data to maintain security, which includes shielding it from accidental or unlawful modification. Recital 39 further states that data must be kept accurate and updated as needed.
Integrity breaches are about the accuracy and trustworthiness of personal data. If information is changed without permission or by accident—and those changes undermine data reliability—this is a reportable risk under GDPR. Unlike confidentiality breaches (where data is improperly shared) or availability breaches (where data is lost or destroyed), integrity breaches focus solely on the correctness of what you store.
| Breach Type | What It Means | Business Example | Likely Consequence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Integrity Breach | Unauthorised or accidental change to data | Incorrect staff bank details loaded into payroll | Missed salaries, employment complaints |
| Confidentiality Breach | Data disclosed or accessed by unauthorised persons | Customer addresses emailed to wrong recipient | ICO probe, lost trust |
| Availability Breach | Data lost or temporarily inaccessible | Server crash deletes customer records | Service disruption, possible ICO reporting |
How Does an Integrity Breach Compare to Confidentiality and Availability Breaches?
The GDPR’s “integrity, confidentiality, availability” framework—often referred to as the CIA triad—covers all possible types of personal data breaches.
- Confidentiality breach: Personal data accessed or disclosed without authority.
- Integrity breach: Personal data altered, either deliberately or accidentally, affecting its accuracy.
- Availability breach: Personal data is lost, destroyed, or rendered temporarily inaccessible.
Focusing on integrity, this aspect addresses whether your data is reliable and correct at all times.
What Are the Legal Duties After an Integrity Breach?
If your business suffers an integrity breach, strict legal requirements apply under the UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018. Here are your core obligations:
- Immediate Containment: Act quickly to stop further unauthorised changes to personal data.
- Risk Assessment: Determine if anyone could be harmed, inconvenienced, or denied their rights due to the breach.
- Full Documentation: Record everything—what happened, why, who was affected, and what actions you took. This is mandatory even if no ICO report is needed.
- ICO Notification: If the breach is likely to risk individuals’ rights or freedoms, notify the ICO within 72 hours.
- Processor vs Controller:
- Controllers must carry out (and often report on) breaches.
- Processors notify controllers but do not report to the ICO directly.
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Practical Examples of Integrity Breaches
Integrity breaches take many forms in daily business operations, often with real consequences. Clear examples include:
- Payroll files overwritten with the wrong figures, leading to incorrect salary payments.
- CRM data corrupted after an import error, resulting in sales targeting the wrong clients.
- Database fields accidentally updated due to poor internal controls, storing unreliable information.
- Automated scripts changing patient test results, exposing healthcare providers to patient harm.
Step-by-Step Checklist for Handling Integrity Breaches
To address an integrity breach, act methodically:
- Identify: Detect that personal data has been altered without authorisation.
- Contain: Halt any ongoing changes—disable faults, secure systems, or revoke user access.
- Assess: Consider whether anyone might be harmed or inconvenienced.
- Document: Log all details—what changed, how, when, and who is affected.
- Report: Decide if ICO notification is needed (based on the risk to people’s rights).
- Correct: Restore accurate data from backup or reliable records, ensuring it is up-to-date.
- Communicate: Tell affected individuals about serious breaches and your mitigation steps.
| Step | Purpose | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Identify | Spot and confirm accuracy issues | Prevent escalation and limit harm |
| Contain | Halt further changes | Protects against wider spread |
| Assess | Check for risks to individuals | Required for GDPR compliance |
| Document | Keep thorough records | ICO may review your breach log at any time |
| Report | Prepare for ICO notification if needed | Meet 72-hour regulatory deadline |
| Correct | Reinstate reliable information | Maintains data integrity and trust |
| Communicate | Update those affected if serious risks | Transparency is required under GDPR |
What To Do After a GDPR Integrity Breach: UK SME Guide
If your business suffers a breach affecting data integrity, follow this proven sequence:
- Detect the Breach: Monitor systems for signs of unauthorised or accidental data modification.
- Confirm the Facts: Pinpoint exactly what was changed, how, and who is affected.
- Assess the Risks: Decide if there is a “likely risk” to people’s rights or freedoms.
- Restore Accurate Data: Use previous backups or validated records to fix the changes.
- Record and Report: Keep evidence and decide on ICO notification within 72 hours if required.
- Notify Individuals: Where significant risk exists, inform those affected and offer remedial steps.
- Review and Improve: Analyse root causes, update procedures, and train staff to prevent recurrence.
Controller or Processor: Who Reports and Records GDPR Integrity Breaches?
Under UK GDPR:
- Controllers (the main decision-makers) must notify the ICO if an integrity breach is likely to risk peoples’ rights or freedoms.
- Processors (service providers acting on behalf of another) inform the controller “without undue delay” and leave notification duties to the controller.
Both must maintain breach logs and document the full incident, even if no external reporting is triggered. Contracts should set out these obligations clearly.
Common Myths & Mistakes About Integrity Breaches
Misinformation can make integrity breaches more dangerous for your business:
- “We fixed it with a backup, so we’re compliant.” Not true—restoring data is only step one. You must also record the breach, assess the risks, and, if necessary, notify the regulator.
- “Only leaks must be reported to the ICO.” Incorrect—altered or corrupted data, even with no disclosure, may require ICO notification if rights are at risk.
- “The processor always notifies the ICO.” False—processors only alert controllers. The controller decides on regulatory reporting.
Preventing Personal Data Integrity Breaches: Best Practices for SMEs
Prevention is your strongest defence against integrity breaches. To protect your business and comply with Articles 5(1)(f) and 32 of the GDPR, use these measures:
- Limit editing permissions: Only authorised users should update core data sets. Remove unnecessary admin access.
- Monitor and audit: Enable audit trails and regularly review data change logs for signs of unauthorised alterations.
- Implement version control: Store historical versions, making it easy to roll back errors.
- Use WORM (Write Once Read Many) storage: Store critical legal or financial records to prevent accidental changes.
- Regular data reconciliation: Periodically review and cross-verify key records.
- Apply checksums and data integrity tools: Technical features can flag changes or corruptions.
- Continuous staff training: Ensure everyone handling data understands their responsibilities and how to report mistakes.
Consequences for Failing to Report Integrity Breaches
Neglecting your GDPR responsibilities after an integrity breach invites significant risk. The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) can levy fines up to £8.7 million (or 2% of global turnover, if higher) on businesses that fail to notify notifiable breaches on time. Just as damaging, mishandled breaches result in customer loss, negative headlines, and lasting reputational harm.
How Go-Legal AI Simplifies Integrity Breach Compliance
Navigating a personal data integrity breach needn’t be overwhelming. Our AI-powered breach management tools transform how small businesses comply with the UK GDPR.
With our platform, you can:
- Instantly assess incidents to spot and categorise integrity breaches—no legal background needed.
- Auto-generate ready-to-use GDPR breach notifications, documentation, and audit logs.
- Access step-by-step workflows guiding you from first detection to ICO submission and follow-up.
- Get on-demand support from leading UK data protection lawyers when you need help.
Our affordable AI-driven solution helps you take every required step confidently and proves your business’s commitment to strong data protection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to report every integrity breach to the ICO?
No. Only breaches that put people’s rights or freedoms at likely risk must be reported. However, you must document every breach, even if not notifiable.
What must be included in a GDPR breach notification?
Your notification should cover: the nature of the breach, categories and number of data subjects and records affected, likely consequences, and steps taken to address the breach.
How soon must I notify the ICO?
You must notify the ICO within 72 hours of becoming aware of a notifiable breach.
Can accidental database changes lead to an integrity breach?
Yes. Any unauthorised or mistaken change that damages accuracy counts as a GDPR integrity breach.
What is the difference between an integrity and confidentiality breach?
An integrity breach is unauthorised alteration of data. A confidentiality breach is unauthorised access to, or disclosure of, data.
Does a processor have to report integrity breaches, or just the controller?
Processors report breaches to their controller partner. Only controllers notify the ICO.
What records must I keep after an integrity breach?
Document the breach’s nature, consequences, remediation, risk assessment, and your reporting decision (and rationale), ready for any future ICO audit.
Are there real ICO fines for integrity breaches?
Yes. The ICO has fined and warned businesses for incorrect payroll and medical records—even where there was no leak.
How can Go-Legal AI help me avoid GDPR pitfalls?
You can access expert templates, checklists, and real-time legal support on our platform—this reduces error and ensures end-to-end compliance.
What technical controls should SMEs use for data integrity?
Enforce access restrictions, maintain audit logs, regularly check core data records, store versions, and invest in staff training.
Streamline GDPR Integrity Breach Compliance with Go-Legal AI
Protecting your business starts with knowing your duties and acting swiftly after an integrity breach. Failing to document and report can mean fines, lost clients, and lasting reputational harm. Proactive measures and thorough internal records don’t just keep you legal—they also build customer trust.
Our AI-powered tools guide you through GDPR compliance step by step, from breach detection to documentation and reporting, so you’re never caught off guard. No legal training required—just effective, affordable solutions built with real UK businesses in mind.
Ready to take control of your GDPR breach management? Sign up and let our platform guide you to compliance confidence today.
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