❓ A WA parliamentary question seeks information on stolen government laptops and computers, focusing on data security and preventative measures. The answer details the number of thefts, value, security protocols, police reports, and existing security measures.
AnsweredQoN 4436Legislative Assembly
Asked
25 November 2010
Member
Portfolio
Child Protection; Community Services; Seniors and Volunteering; Women's Interests
QuestionView source ↗
(1) How many laptop, notebook and palm computers from each department and agency within the Minister’s portfolio have been reported stolen for the 12 months from 30 June 2009 to 30 June 2010?
(2) What was the total value of the computers that were lost or stolen?
(3) Did any of these computers contain information that could be regarded as sensitive?
(4) What steps have been taken to ensure that any commercial or sensitive information was not compromised?
(5) Was the loss or theft of any of these computers reported to the police; and
(a) if yes, when were these reports made;
(b) of those reported, what has been the outcome; and
(c) if any were not reported to the police, why not?
(6) What steps, if any, have been put into place with a view to eliminating, or at least reducing, these losses; and
(a) when were these steps put into place?
(2) What was the total value of the computers that were lost or stolen?
(3) Did any of these computers contain information that could be regarded as sensitive?
(4) What steps have been taken to ensure that any commercial or sensitive information was not compromised?
(5) Was the loss or theft of any of these computers reported to the police; and
(a) if yes, when were these reports made;
(b) of those reported, what has been the outcome; and
(c) if any were not reported to the police, why not?
(6) What steps, if any, have been put into place with a view to eliminating, or at least reducing, these losses; and
(a) when were these steps put into place?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
15 February 2011
Responded by
Minister representing the Minister for Child Protection; Community Services; Seniors and Volunteering; Women's Interests
Response time
82 days
Please note: Department for Child Protection is the host agency for Department for Communities and therefore have provided a response on behalf of both agencies.
(1) 3.
(2) $4 290.
(3) The Department's sensitive information, such as child protection-related client information, is stored in central databases, rather than on portable computers. While working copies of documents can be held temporarily on portable computers, no incidents of loss of sensitive information associated with the three losses of portable computers have been identified.
(4) Laptops, notebooks and palm computers are password protected.
(5) Yes.
(a) 22.11.09, 16.11.09, 4.9.09.
(b) Subsequent Risk Cover claims were submitted. No stolen items have been recovered.
(c) Not applicable
(6)Policy statements that emphasise staff responsibility for security are published on the intranet. The Department has implemented a "Portable and Attractive Items Register" system, (PAIRS). Palm computers that may contain data are remotely wiped upon receiving notification of the theft or loss. Laptops and notebooks are asset labelled.
(a)Intranet security messages were introduced January 2006. PAIRS was implemented on 1 July 2007. The procedure for remotely removing data from palm computers was introduced July 2006. Asset labelling has been implemented since inception of the relevant Treasurer's Instruction.
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(1) 3.
(2) $4 290.
(3) The Department's sensitive information, such as child protection-related client information, is stored in central databases, rather than on portable computers. While working copies of documents can be held temporarily on portable computers, no incidents of loss of sensitive information associated with the three losses of portable computers have been identified.
(4) Laptops, notebooks and palm computers are password protected.
(5) Yes.
(a) 22.11.09, 16.11.09, 4.9.09.
(b) Subsequent Risk Cover claims were submitted. No stolen items have been recovered.
(c) Not applicable
(6)Policy statements that emphasise staff responsibility for security are published on the intranet. The Department has implemented a "Portable and Attractive Items Register" system, (PAIRS). Palm computers that may contain data are remotely wiped upon receiving notification of the theft or loss. Laptops and notebooks are asset labelled.
(a)Intranet security messages were introduced January 2006. PAIRS was implemented on 1 July 2007. The procedure for remotely removing data from palm computers was introduced July 2006. Asset labelling has been implemented since inception of the relevant Treasurer's Instruction.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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