HL Deb 18 May 2000 vol 613 cc30-1WA
The Earl of Northesk

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Falconer of Thoroton on 28 February (WA 41) concerning government computer network protection, and given the self-replicating nature of the "ILOVEYOU" e-mail virus, which creates an equivalence with a "pingstorm" attack, whether they remain satisfied that their servers and routers are adequately protected. [HL2359]

Lord Falconer of Thoroton

The "LOVEBUG" virus is not a PINGSTORM attack, but what is in Internet parlance a "worm".

Government departments were advised of appropriate countermeasures promptly and the effect on their operations was small.

The Earl of Northesk

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether any departmental computer systems were infected by the "ILOVEYOU" e-mail virus; if so, which departments: and to what detrimental effect. [HL2360]

Lord Falconer of Thoroton

Each Government department is responsible for its own security and they are not required to respond individually to the Cabinet Office. However departments are encouraged to report in confidence all IT security incidents, including virus infections under the Unified Incident Reporting and Alert Scheme (UNIRAS), which is co-ordinated by the National Infrastructure Security Co-ordination Centre (NISCC).

Although some departments and agencies have yet to make their report to UNIRAS, initial returns suggest that the virus affected in the region of one-third. The actual effect on these departments' computer systems was limited, with the main impact being on the availability of e-mail systems. There were almost no reports of damage to the integrity of systems nor were computer networks delivering critical functions significantly affected.