§ Miss Emma NicholsonTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what assessment he has made of the potential risks of unauthorised entry into the computer systems which calculate the monthly balance of payments figures.
§ Mr. ForthThe security requirements of the computer system used in my Department for calculating the United Kingdom visible balance of trade were addressed before the system was designed and put into operation. Security safeguards designed to minimise the risks of unauthorised entry were incorporated into the system, taking account of appropriate specialist advice. Security of the system is regularly reviewed.
§ Miss Emma NicholsonTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what assessment he has made of the possible effects on financial markets in the United Kingdom and abroad of the unauthorised penetration of sensitive information held by his Department.
§ Mr. ForthThe security of sensitive information is addressed at an early stage in the design of new systems by assessing the impact of unauthorised disclosure or loss of the information to be held. Measures are introduced to reduce the risks of unauthorised penetration to a justifiable minimum.