HL Deb 25 March 1999 vol 598 cc1416-7

3.12 p.m.

Lord Chalfont asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the security of the computers on board the United Kingdom's military communication satellites is adequate.

Lord Hoyle

My Lords, I can assure your Lordships that the United Kingdom's military communication satellites are secure. Control of the satellites is effected through secure radio links, and all associated terrestrial communications are secure and separate from any publicly accessible communications system. The security of the on-board computers is therefore ensured. Nevertheless, we keep our security arrangements under constant review to ensure that they remain effective.

Lord Chalfont

My Lords, I thank the Minister for that reassuring reply. Will he reassure the House a little further by saying that the reports—which first appeared in the British press at the end of last month, and subsequently in the international press—that the computers on board a British military satellite had been illegally accessed by what are known as "hackers" who had shifted the military satellite out of its orbit are without foundation?

Lord Hoyle

My Lords, I note the noble Lord's concern about our security. I am aware of the press reports. However, as far as we are aware there is no foundation in such reports. I can confirm that there has been no unauthorised access into the United Kingdom's military communication satellite system. That system is monitored continuously to ensure that there is no possibility of the system being attacked without our knowledge.