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Home Office

Answer

Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what measures he proposes to deter access to a national identity database for improper reasons; [157031] (2) how the national identity database will be monitored to detect a potential compromise of its security; [157032] (3) if he will outline the risk management system proposed for the security of the identity card scheme; [157036] (4) what measures will be in place under the current identity card proposals to ensure that the identity database is not vulnerable to hackers. [157038] Beverley Hughes: The security and integrity of the database are integral to maintaining trust in the Identity Cards scheme. The specifications and design of the database and its security features have not yet been established but will take into account security advice from the earliest stages and the design process will include threat and vulnerability assessments. Threats which will be assessed will include unauthorised internal and external access to data. Home Office officials are already working with security experts to ensure that security issues are considered from the start of the database design, and with other government departments which have similar databases with similar security needs, such as the United Kingdom Passport Service. The Identity Cards Programme takes risk management extremely seriously and has developed its approach to risk management in line with Home Office best practice. The Programme Board and Ministers are considering the Governance arrangements for the ID Cards scheme and will consider what the risk management system should be in order to ensure the security of the Identity Card scheme.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

418 c1578W;418 c1580W; 157031;157032;157036;157038

Session

2003-04

Subjects

Access Databases Crime prevention Fraud Identity cards Monitoring Proof of identity Security Hacking Risk management

Link

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