Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 1:00 pm Post subject: MoD admits inquiry into 69 lost laptops
In today's Guardian:
Quote:
MoD admits inquiry into 69 lost laptops
· Stolen files not encrypted, Browne tells Commons
· Whitehall issues staff ban on movement of data
Richard Norton-Taylor
Tuesday January 22, 2008
Guardian
The Ministry of Defence is investigating the reported loss of 69 laptops and seven personal computers over the past year, officials revealed yesterday, as Whitehall staff were banned from removing laptops containing sensitive data from their offices.
The extent of the lack of security surrounding MoD computers containing un-encrypted information emerged as Des Browne, the defence secretary, announced an inquiry into the latest theft: a laptop containing information on 600,000 people - recruits and those who had expressed an interest in joining the armed forces - which was stolen from a naval officer's car earlier this month.
Browne told MPs there was no reason to believe the laptop had been targeted for the data it held, though he said the MoD "cannot wholly discount this". He said the data included passport, National Insurance and driver's licence numbers, family details, and NHS numbers for about 153,000 people who applied to join the armed forces and banking details of around 3,700.
He revealed that two further laptops containing unencrypted information on at least 500 people had been stolen since 2005. A Royal Navy laptop was stolen from a car in Manchester in October 2006 and an army laptop was stolen from a careers office in Edinburgh in December 2005.
These losses were on top of the 69 laptops and seven PCs reported stolen from the ministry. It was not known whether the information on them was encrypted. The MoD has not got the technology to encrypt such information, a defence official told the Guardian yesterday.
Announcing an inquiry by Sir Edmund Burton, chairman of the Information Assurance Advisory Council, into weaknesses in the MoD's information security procedures, Browne told the Commons: "It is not clear to me why recruiting officers routinely carry with them information on such a large number of people or, indeed, why the database retains this information at all."
He said there was no indication the unencrypted files had fallen into the hands of extremists. A Royal Navy internal investigation had been completed, all similar laptops recalled and "appropriate action" was being considered against the officer responsible, he added.
Last night, the Cabinet secretary, Sir Gus O'Donnell, laid down the new rule for Whitehall staff in an email to permanent secretaries at all government departments. It said: "From now on, no unencrypted laptops or drives containing personal data should be taken outside secured office premises."
Browne told the Commons that though the laptop stolen in Birmingham - containing the names of recruits and those expressing interest in the navy, marines, and RAF - had been stolen during the night of January 9, ministers were only told the data was not encrypted on January 14. Richard Thomas, the information commissioner, was kept informed and the Association for Payment Clearing Services was alerted so that the banks could monitor the accounts listed.
Liam Fox, shadow defence secretary, said the Birmingham theft was potentially more damaging than HM Revenue and Customs' recent loss of 25 million people's child benefit details.
I'm surprised at your inability to self-criticize.
I took you for someone more cerebral than the fascist Colonel -- but I guess I was mistaken.
Recruitment details and bank accounts are hardly top secret national secrets. Not great if it's your bank account but it's not as if we've handed out the combination for the alarm on the Channel Tunnel. It doesn't sound to me like this is a million miles away similar blunders by US agencies, or government agencies anywhere or large corporations anywhere.
Large volumes of data available to lots of people are a risk.
Our government shouldn't be loosing this type of data, not should yours and nor should either of our banks.
Bet you wouldn't have posted this if it had been the French or Canadians who had had a sensitive laptop go missing.
Joined: 29 Jul 2007 Posts: 3369 Location: inner west sydney, australia
Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 12:50 pm Post subject:
minigirl wrote:
interesting to see the number of laptops that got lost - anything significant in that?
well actually, when i was referring to "the number of laptops that got lost" i wasn't so much commenting on the fact that a large quantity of laptops were stolen, it was that the magic number 69 caught my eye.
interesting to see the number of laptops that got lost - anything significant in that?
well actually, when i was referring to "the number of laptops that got lost" i wasn't so much commenting on the fact that a large quantity of laptops were stolen, it was that the magic number 69 caught my eye.
Ah, running an internal pomposity
scan and engaging double entendre monitors.
Oh dear.
Nudge, nudge, say no MORE, gun'nor.
I'm sure the MoD will get down to it and have this problem licked soon.
interesting to see the number of laptops that got lost - anything significant in that?
well actually, when i was referring to "the number of laptops that got lost" i wasn't so much commenting on the fact that a large quantity of laptops were stolen, it was that the magic number 69 caught my eye.
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