Written question asked by Paul Burstow (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 19 January 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 2 February 2000. It was answered by Lord Moonie (Labour) on Wednesday, 2 February 2000 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on how many occasions in each of the past five years computer systems in his Department have been illegally accessed by computer hackers (a) within and (b) outside his Department. - (Holding answer 31 January 2000).

Answer: Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions in each of the past five years computer systems in his Department have been illegally accessed by computer hackers (a) within and (b) outside his Department. [106232] Dr. Moonie: [holding answer 31 January 2000]: There is no evidence of a successful incursion, from an external source, to any Departmental computer system during the past five years. There were two cases during 1999 of corruption of Websites holding Unclassified MOD information. Measures have been taken to secure both these sites. There are widespread and frequent probes of MOD firewalls connected to the Internet, which do not result in successful penetrations of MOD systems. There have, however, been 25 recorded instances during the past five years of internal incursions by MOD staff, none of which had any operational impact. Appropriate disciplinary measures were taken, as required, in each case.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 106232; 343 c590W
Session: 1999-00
Subjects: Crime Computers Government departments Ministry of Defence Security Hacking