§ Miss Emma NicholsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many instances have been detected in his Department of computer(a) hacking, (b) viruses, (c) logic bombs, (d) trojan horses or (e) other types of computer misuse, whether perpetrated by authorised or unauthorised users of the computers; and how many unsuccessful attempts have been recorded;
(2) if he will make a statement on all recorded cases of unauthorised access to his Department's computer files.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonThe information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
§ Miss Emma NicholsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he can quantify the risk of damage by hackers to sensitive computerised files in his Department.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonThe risk of damage by hackers to MOD computerised files holding classified material is regularly assessed. It is not in the interests of national security to provide details of the current assessment.
§ Miss Emma NicholsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether staff are briefed about computer hacking and computer viruses; and whether there are contingency plans to deal with computer downtime caused by unauthorised penetration.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonStaff are trained in computer security including hacking and computer viruses. In addition, departmental instructions are circulated on computer security-related issues.
The necessary contingency plans are in place to deal with computer downtime, no matter what the cause.
§ Miss Emma NicholsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give details of his Department's policy on review of the security of its computer files.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonMOD computer security staff continuously review the Department's computer security policy and its application to ensure that constant and adequate levels of protection are provided for those computer systems processing or holding classified material.
§ Miss Emma NicholsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures his Department has taken to protect data in transit by electronic means.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonData in transit by electronic means is adequately protected. It is not in the interests of national security to provide details of the measures employed.