The Privacy Commissioner has asked government departments and public agencies how they handle sensitive data stored on portable devices.
A survey has been carried out at 42 departments and agencies about their use of devices such as USB sticks, after major breaches overseas where sensitive data has been lost.
Privacy Commissioner Marie Shroff says there was a time when sensitive government data was stored on paper and kept locked in secure locations.
But she says the survey has shown many organisations are now storing information on portable devices which can present major security risks, especially if the data is unsecured and unencrypted.
