A recent report by the Lords' science and technology committee described the internet as "the playground of criminals", creating momentary hysteria about the threat of hackers, cyber criminals and data theft through malware and other means (The internet is the new wild west say MPs).

The report cited a government survey that suggested more Britons feared internet crime than burglary.

While these threats should not be underestimated, the stories failed to acknowledge a significant reality - that the vast majority of data leakage is a result of accidental not malicious activity. When confidential data is lost it is usually through human error.

Though the majority of businesses now have technology in place to protect them from external threats, far fewer are adopting measures to combat the greater threat  posed by their own staff. Yet there are a number of simple technologies  and processes that companies can adopt.

Thus, while calls for legislative changes to help tackle online crime should not go unsupported, companies should carefully assess and identify the most critical risk to their business and take the measures necessary to protect themselves.

For many, further investigation of the tools they possess will reveal that they already have the ability to control access to and limit the distribution of confidential information.

Stephen Partridge