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Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Answer

Michael Fabricant: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what procedures are in place (a) to check the criminal records of civil servants in her Department and agencies responsible to her Department who have access to computer databases containing confidential information on the public and (b) to ensure that there can be no improper use of computer databases containing confidential information on the public; and if she will make a statement. [194603] Alun Michael: A basic character check is carried out on all staff before they are allowed unsupervised access to Defra's IT systems. It is also a departmental requirement that staff must declare criminal convictions. Criminal records checks are carried out in cases where staff dealing with particularly sensitive material require formal vetting in line with central Government guidelines. Defra's IT security policy is designed (a) to protect the confidentiality, integrity and availability of computer systems and information to a level that meets business needs and (b) to ensure that accounting and audit processes exist. This is achieved by: ensuring all processes and actions are authorised; all authorised users can be identified and monitored; and all systems and associated personnel perform in a consistent manner. The security policy is available to all staff on our internal intranet and regular reminders are issued.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

194603; 426 c446W

Session

2003-04

Subjects

Data protection Databases Criminal records Civil servants Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Government departments Vetting

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk