Computer Safety (Hansard, 15 March 1989)

§ Miss Emma Nicholson
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the security of his Department's computer files is regularly checked for breaches by computer hackers.

§ Mr. Archie Hamilton
Where such access would constitute a security breach, yes.

§ Miss Emma Nicholson
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what action is taken in his Department to guard against intrusive information technology practices by unauthorised internal or external electronic intruders;
(2) what steps he has taken to ensure that information transferred within and without his Department via computer is safe from internal or external interference;
(3) what steps his Department has undertaken to guard against the unauthorised access of sensitive defence information files stored on computer.

§ Mr. Archie Hamilton
In the interest of national security, the nature and extent of the security counter-measures used to protect Ministry of Defence computer systems from authorised access cannot be revealed.
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§ Miss Emma Nicholson
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the potential effects of unauthorised access via computer of information held by his Department on the nation's security.

§ Mr. Archie Hamilton
The potential effect of unauthorised access to the Ministry of Defence's information is indicated by the security classifications given to such material, viz:
TOP SECRET
Information and material the unauthorised disclosure of which would cause EXCEPTIONALLY GRAVE DAMAGE to the nation.
SECRET
Information and material the unauthorised disclosure of which would cause SERIOUS INJURY to the interests of the nation.
CONFIDENTIAL
Information and material the unauthorised disclosure of which would be PREJUDICIAL to the interests of the nation.
RESTRICTED
Information and material the unauthorised disclosure of which would be UNDESIRABLE in the interests of the nation.

§ Miss Emma Nicholson
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proposals he has to prevent the extraction of sensitive international defence material by computer, in the light of the recent problems uncovered in West Germany.

§ Mr. Archie Hamilton
It will not be clear whether any change in Ministry of Defence security policy is necessary following recent events in West Germany until our investigations are complete.