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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| MoD admits loss of secret files | MoD admits loss of secret files |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| More than 100 USB memory sticks, some containing secret information, have been lost or stolen from the Ministry of Defence since 2004, it has emerged. | More than 100 USB memory sticks, some containing secret information, have been lost or stolen from the Ministry of Defence since 2004, it has emerged. |
| The department also admitted that more than 650 laptops had been stolen over the past four years - nearly double the figure previously claimed. | The department also admitted that more than 650 laptops had been stolen over the past four years - nearly double the figure previously claimed. |
| The Liberal Democrats condemned the latest security breaches as evidence of "shocking incompetence". | The Liberal Democrats condemned the latest security breaches as evidence of "shocking incompetence". |
| But the MoD insisted its policies were "generally fit for purpose". | |
| Previously the MoD had confirmed that 347 laptops were stolen between 2004 and 2007. | Previously the MoD had confirmed that 347 laptops were stolen between 2004 and 2007. |
| The Mod said it has no idea on when, where and how the memory sticks were lost. | |
| Defence Secretary Des Browne issued revised figures after "anomalies in the reporting process" were discovered. | Defence Secretary Des Browne issued revised figures after "anomalies in the reporting process" were discovered. |
| The official total is now 658 laptops stolen, with another 89 lost. Just 32 have been recovered. | The official total is now 658 laptops stolen, with another 89 lost. Just 32 have been recovered. |
| Sarah Teather MP: This government simply cannot be trusted with keeping sensitive information safe | |
| In a separate response, ministers said 131 of the department's USB memory sticks had been taken or misplaced since 2004. | |
| Some 26 of those went this year - including three which contained information classified as "secret" and 19 which were "restricted". | Some 26 of those went this year - including three which contained information classified as "secret" and 19 which were "restricted". |
| BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner said the incident was "embarrasing" for the MoD as they had no idea how or when they had been lost or stolen. | |
| Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Teather received the information after tabling a question in parliament. | Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Teather received the information after tabling a question in parliament. |
| Ms Teather said: "It seems that this government simply cannot be trusted with keeping sensitive information safe. | Ms Teather said: "It seems that this government simply cannot be trusted with keeping sensitive information safe. |
| "This shows a shocking degree of incompetence." | "This shows a shocking degree of incompetence." |
| Shadow defence secretary Liam Fox said: "To treat national security in such a cavalier fashion is unforgivable." | Shadow defence secretary Liam Fox said: "To treat national security in such a cavalier fashion is unforgivable." |
| A Ministry of Defence spokesman said any loss of data was subject to a full inquiry and measures were being put into place to improve data protection. | A Ministry of Defence spokesman said any loss of data was subject to a full inquiry and measures were being put into place to improve data protection. |
| This is the latest in a series of data loss incidents: | This is the latest in a series of data loss incidents: |
| Ms Teather added: "How can they expect us to trust them to keep our personal information safe in their unnecessary and expensive ID card scheme?" | Ms Teather added: "How can they expect us to trust them to keep our personal information safe in their unnecessary and expensive ID card scheme?" |
| Last month the MoD was heavily criticised by a review of its data procedures which warned that basic security discipline had been forgotten and there was "little awareness" of the danger of losing information. | Last month the MoD was heavily criticised by a review of its data procedures which warned that basic security discipline had been forgotten and there was "little awareness" of the danger of losing information. |
| 'Action plan' | 'Action plan' |
| But an MoD spokeswoman said officials were taking the situation very seriously: "Any loss of data is investigated fully. | But an MoD spokeswoman said officials were taking the situation very seriously: "Any loss of data is investigated fully. |
| "The recent report on data losses by Sir Edmund Burton found that MoD policies and procedures are generally fit for purpose, but also identified a number of areas where MoD needs to do better in protecting personal data. | "The recent report on data losses by Sir Edmund Burton found that MoD policies and procedures are generally fit for purpose, but also identified a number of areas where MoD needs to do better in protecting personal data. |
| "MoD has developed, and is now working through, an action plan to address all of the report's recommendations and bring the department's handling of personal data to an acceptable state." | "MoD has developed, and is now working through, an action plan to address all of the report's recommendations and bring the department's handling of personal data to an acceptable state." |
| Since the Burton report in June 2008 the MoD has recalled 20,000 non-encrypted laptops and are now encrypting them. | Since the Burton report in June 2008 the MoD has recalled 20,000 non-encrypted laptops and are now encrypting them. |
| So far half have been through the process. About 2,000 are unable to be encrypted so have been taken out of service. | So far half have been through the process. About 2,000 are unable to be encrypted so have been taken out of service. |