---

Home Office

Answer

Mr. Allan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what audit mechanisms are in place to determine whether information technology (a) hardware and (b) software products are being used properly in his Department. [150932] Fiona Mactaggart: The Home Office (core directorates including the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND)) has outsourced support for most of its IT infrastructures, including desktop computers, to three companies: Sirius (Fujitsu Services with IBM and Global Crossing) covering the core office and some IND locations (the `POISE' infrastructure); Siemens covering caseworking for IND; and Steria covering the Probation Service areas. Home Office contracts provide for the audit of supplier service provision including licence provision. Asset registers are maintained for the major infrastructures. The Home Office allows its staff and people working on behalf of the Department reasonable personal use of its IT equipment. Usage is monitored in accordance with the Information Commissioner's Code of Practice: Monitoring at Work. The Department's notices: `Non-official use of Home Office telephones and computer facilities', `Use of POISE and the Internet including non-official purposes' and `Warning to Staff: Misuse and Abuse of IT' set out Departmental policy to staff. Misuse of hardware and/or software assets may lead to disciplinary measures including dismissal.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

417 c793-4W;417 c794-5W; 150932

Session

2003-04

Subjects

Software Computers ICT Government departments Home Office Monitoring Standards

Link

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