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3.1 Deputy P.J. Rondel of St. John of the Chief Minister regarding the security of the States computer system:
How secure is the States computer system and access to the various databases, and have there been any breaches over the last 3 years through the loss or theft of equipment holding confidential information?
Senator T.A. Le Sueur (The Chief Minister):
I am advised that there have been no reports of breaches of the States computer system in the last 3 years due to the loss or theft of equipment holding confidential information. The States computer system has many controls in place to prevent security breaches and is regularly audited. This security is generally found to be adequate, however there are continual improvements being implemented, often following audit recommendations. For example, following audit recommendations a pilot for encrypting data on laptop computers is scheduled for later this year.
- The Deputy of St. John :
I am really surprised at the Minister's response, and I must ask whether or not he checked with all of his Ministers, at the Council of Ministers, if that is correct. Will he confirm that I handed a U.S.B. (Universal Serial Bus) stick or dongle - call it what you will, - memory stick, registered to Social Security to the Minister for Social Security only at our last sitting, therefore will the Minister confirm that he has spoken to all the Ministers?
Senator T.A. Le Sueur :
No, I directed my question to the head of computer services who is the person responsible for security of the system, and I specifically, knowing that the Deputy of St. John does not ask questions without a reason for it, pressed him on this point and he said that there had been no reports of breaches to him. I did not ask individual Ministers because it is the head of computer services who is responsible for security.
- The Deputy of St. John :
Given that there has been a breach in the security within the computer system, will the Minister undertake a full review of the security system within our States and report back to this House within the next 6 weeks as to what he has found and speak to all his Ministers, in particular when it comes to sensitive equipment, like Social Security information, that is being left around?
Senator T.A. Le Sueur :
I will certainly pursue the matter, but I would point out that the question talks about security within the computer system. I cannot speak for security of matters which are allied to but not directly linked in the computer system if dongles or U.S.B. pens or other things are left lying around, and this may well be the case. It is not something that has been reported to the department concerned. But I will take up the point of the Deputy .