IT training and staffing provider The Nesco Group has become one of the first recruitment firms in the UK to get accredited in a vital data security standard.

The BS7799 standard is a key part of the government’s bid to ensure all public sector departments and their suppliers meet certain levels of security by 2005. It applies not only to data in IT systems but also to verifying the identity of new staff.

The firm’s business development manager Brian Wilshaw said it had decided to gain the accreditation after a number of public sector clients stepped up their own security management efforts.

“People who deal with us need to know their information is secure, and the people we recruit for them are not a risk. Someone could start a job on Monday and walk away with all that company’s vital information on Tuesday,” he said.

“As more of our recruitment and training services become electronically driven, the secure handling of data becomes more relevant and business critical.”