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MoD admits twice as many laptops stolen



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Published Date: 19 July 2008
THE Ministry of Defence yesterday admitted that 658 of its laptops had been stolen over the past four years – nearly double the figure previously claimed.
The department also said that 26 portable memory sticks containing classified information had been stolen or misplaced since January.

It insisted all data losses were fully investigated.

Previously the MoD had said 347 laptops were stolen between 2004 and 2007.

But Defence Secretary Des Browne was forced to issue revised figures after "anomalies in the reporting process" were discovered.



The full article contains 91 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 18 July 2008 9:40 PM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
 
1

,

19/07/2008 01:41:28
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
2

The Trossachs Hasher,

19/07/2008 02:14:15
I am almost lost for words at this astounding and incompetent loss. Apart from the actual value of the laptops - something in the region of £300,000, the threat to national security is almost incalculable.

Did no one during this time think - duh- we have a problem here? Let's stop people taking out the laptops before any more go missing.

I really do think that the MOD - and any other government department for that matter - should stop ALL portable media being taking out of offices with immediate effect, and anyone who does should be sacked without question. Whoever is in charge of IT security (if there is someone) should also be sacked.

Someone really needs to take charge and stand up to self important government officials, who persist in taking laptops home with them.

It is probably incredibly good luck more than anything else that information contained in these laptops has not fallen into the wrong hands.
3

The Trossachs Hasher,

19/07/2008 02:32:06
Why does the Welsh Culture Minister feel obliged to resign because he smoked a cigar in a pub, ( who else would lose their job because they smoked int a pub - surely only a politician) yet no one will ever feel obliged to resign because of this staggeringly incompetent loss of equipment and data?

Methinks it's time for a change of priorities here.
4

Guga II,

Rockall 19/07/2008 03:09:54
And just how many other lap-tops and memory sticks have been lost or stolen from all the other government departments, and councils, over the years?

#2. How do you know they haven't fallen into the wrong hands? Maybe half of the MoD lap-tops are sitting in Moscow by now.

5

donald anderson it's me,

weegieland 19/07/2008 09:10:23
Ah've tried the Barras, Paddy's Market, Old Firm pubs and cannae get wan. The Cooncillor's relatives huvnae goat aw theirs yet.
6

Boy Wonder,

19/07/2008 09:23:48
They should be checking out their own staff first and foremost. Flash drives are easy to "lift", so that's not surprising! Laptops can be "left at home" and then forgotten.

The people in charge should be fired for incompetence!
7

The Former Mr. Angry,

Perth 19/07/2008 12:39:22
Whoever's in nominal charge of security should be sacked immediately and replaced with someone who has a grasp of the issues. Mostly that relates to sensitive or any data leaking into the wrong hands. We have no reassurance that those laptops have NOT fallen into the wrong hands as they'll not be making themselves that obvious immediately and the information can be sold on to whoever feels the need for it. If laptops are going missing at this rate there must be a question mark over whether people should get laptops at all unless absolutely necessary and there won't be many of these.
8

The Trossachs Hasher,

19/07/2008 12:45:12
When you break the figures down it amounts to 3 laptops a week.

Where else would this be allowed to go on at this rate? This problem would have been dealt with by now and the issue of laptops stopped if it were anywhere else but the MOD or Government.

Put me in charge. I'll sort the beggars out.
9

,

19/07/2008 14:22:21
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
10

Griffe,

19/07/2008 14:56:45
Those MoD employees who were negligent in their duty to safguard the equipment, should be sacked.
11

Hickory,

US 19/07/2008 15:26:08
Aye, I lost me laptop. Another one please? Just like the one me wifie has at home.

 

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