The Howard Government’s inadequate approach to security was again exposed today when a Parliamentary inquiry heard that it has consistently failed to prevent the disappearance and theft of Commonwealth Government computers.
While the Howard Government pretends it is tough on security, it has been negligent on the home front, failing to cover off the most basic level of IT security.
Today’s hearing of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on Public Accounts and Audit exposed three new security debacles:
Government data tapes stored in a wheelie bin
A serious breach of security occurred in March 2003 when a significant number of data tapes held by Telstra Enterprise Services were thrown out. It emerged that these tapes, containing information from the Departments of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Communications IT and the Arts, and Transport and Regional Services were stored in a wheelie bin, and apparently thought to be garbage.
Additional IT thefts from the Australian Customs Service
It emerged today that in addition to the Customs server thefts reported in August and September, two other desktop computers were stolen at the same time. In what looks remarkably similar to a cover up, these additional thefts in August of this year were never disclosed by the Australian Customs Service.
The systemic disappearance of Commonwealth Government computers
Over 600 personal computers, including almost 500 laptops and 134 desktop PCs have disappeared from Government departments and agencies since June 1998, costing the Australian taxpayer thousands of dollars in each case, and risking sensitive Government information falling into the wrong hands. The Australian Tax Office was the worst offender, losing 137 laptops. In some cases even where theft was suspected, the police were not informed.
It is a disgrace that the Howard Government has failed both to institute effective procedures across all departments to reduce the number of Government information systems going missing, and to include adequate reporting systems.
Media contact: Jason Ives – (02) 6277 3334 or 0411 237 683
Tagged: government, Internet
