Written question asked by Brian White (Labour) on Wednesday, 13 November 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 20 November 2002. It was answered by Yvette Cooper (Labour) on Wednesday, 20 November 2002 on behalf of the Lord Chancellor's Department.

Lord Chancellors Dept

Question: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what steps he has taken to review the security of the Department's IT system; and how many digital attacks there were on the Department's system in (a) October and (b) 2002.

Answer: Brian White: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what steps she has taken to review the security of the Department's IT system; and how many digital attacks there were on the Department's system in (a) October and (b) 2002. [80767] Yvette Cooper: The Department is well advanced in its plans to implement an information security management system based on the BS7799 standard. This work has involved a major review and update of our IT security policy. We have undertaken risk reviews on all of our key information systems over the past 18 months, using the Cabinet Office approved CRAMM risk review methodology. A health check was undertaken on our data network in 2001 and a further health check will be undertaken in early 2003. The number of cases of digital attacks detected was: (a) 1 in October and (b) 6 in 2002 These attacks were all virus attacks. They caused no damage to our key IT systems and were all detected by our virus protection defences. There were no hacking attacks.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 394 c209W;394 c207W; 80767
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Crime Computers ICT Government departments Lord Chancellor's Department Security Hacking
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk