§ Mr. Cohenasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what arrangements operate for the logging of those who have access to (a) a computer and(b) manual files kept by his Department on individuals; and if he will describe the procedures in operation for both categories.
§ Mr. YoungerSpecific guidelines on security of automatically processed data in Government Departments are observed. They are contained in "Protection of Information in Computer Systems" and "Central Government Code of Practice No 21" issued by the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency which give recommended procedures to safeguard data in computer installations. Copies of these guidelines have been placed in the House Library.
There are no corresponding centrally issued guidelines in relation to the logging of access to manual files; and procedures vary according to the confidentiality or sensitivity of the data held.