HC Deb 31 March 2004 vol 419 cc1480-1W
Mr. Webb

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many cases of computer misuse there were in his Department in(a) 1997 and (b) 2003, broken down by category of misuse; and how many of those cases resulted in disciplinary action. [163248]

Mr. Caplin

In 1997 and 2003, the following instances of computer misuse were recorded across the Ministry of Defence.

1997 2003
Unauthorised access to computer material
Incidents 2 2
Disciplined 1 1
Unauthorised access with intent to commit or facilitate commission of further offences
Incidents 7 0
Disciplined 1 0
Unauthorised modification of computer material
Incidents 0 0
Disciplined 0 0

It should be noted that in 1997 these incidents were not reported to a central focal point, as has since been required, and that details of disciplinary action taken are only collated once the action concerned has been completed. The above figures are the most accurate that can be made readily available under current reporting arrangements, and additional information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.