According to an ISAF spokesperson, the code, which was developed jointly between the two organisations, aims to help organisations and individuals understand their responsibilities when it comes to handling personal data.

The BCS drafted the code initially and then came to the Forum for their input, he told Infosecurity.

"We added to the code, amending it to talk about people, rather than data subjects, and so we ended up with the final draft."

The joint project was developed as a direct response to the recent spate of high-profile breaches of personal data in the UK by public and private sector organisations.

Louise Bennett, Chair of the BCS Security Forum, says that this is the culmination of two years of consultations and which exposed the need for practical help in changing culture to embed good data guardianship principles in all organisations.

The code, she says, is the equivalent of the Highway Code for motorists and will help all those involved in the management of personal data understand their role and enable them to carry out their jobs better.

Dr David King, the ISAF's chairman, says that people should be able to trust that their personal data is being handled with respect and managed securely.

"Yet, it is evident that this is not always the case."

The aim of the guide, he says, is to encourage a sea-change in the attitude to data and how it is handled.

"We hope that the guide will encourage people to understand their roles in this chain of activity and empower them to better understand the law and processes."