❓ Question regarding the security risks of using third-party messaging services for transmitting Cabinet in Confidence (CiC) information and whether the Department of Premier and Cabinet condones their use. The response indicates SMS is not secure and other services haven't been assessed.
AnsweredQoN 769Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
With respect to the transmission of Cabinet in Confidence (CiC) information: (a) Has the Department of the Premier and Cabinet undertaken a study or review into the security risks when using text messages, iMessage, WhatsApp or other third party services; and (b) does the Department of the Premier and Cabinet condone text message, iMessage, WhatsApp or other third party services to be used?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
8 August 2017
Response time
8 days
(a)-(b) The confidentiality of Cabinet documents, discussions and decisions is a long established principle and has been regarded as essential for the maintenance of Cabinet collective responsibility, although these principles are tempered by the requirement for consultation and the dissemination of Cabinet information.
The Department has previously advised Ministers in successive Governments that SMS messaging services are not a secure communication channel and should not be used to convey or transfer information, which is sensitive or confidential in nature. Other secure messaging services, such as iMessage or WhatsApp have not undergone a security risk assessment as yet and have not been endorsed for use to convey or transfer information which is of sensitive or confidential in nature.
The Department has previously advised Ministers in successive Governments that SMS messaging services are not a secure communication channel and should not be used to convey or transfer information, which is sensitive or confidential in nature. Other secure messaging services, such as iMessage or WhatsApp have not undergone a security risk assessment as yet and have not been endorsed for use to convey or transfer information which is of sensitive or confidential in nature.
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