---

Dept of Trade and Industry

Answer

Mr. Allan: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what audit mechanisms are in place to determine whether all Information Technology hardware and software products are being properly utilised in her Department. [151056] Ms Hewitt: My Department has a range of software products and management policies to ensure that its IT is used in accordance with its intended purpose. All IT services have an aligned security policy setting out the security measures to counter threats including misuse. Staff are advised of these policies and the checks that are made to ensure compliance. The Department's standard desktop service is owned and managed by our PFI partners and has been designed to prevent the unauthorised addition of products and devices. Auditing of this environment is carried out with a mixture of detection software, active monitoring of security logs and non-intrusive checks of data types, keeping in mind the parameters of data protection legislation and complying with OGC guidelines. Allied to these measures are the best practice guidelines available to all staff and line management. New services must be procured and implemented in accordance with documented procedures which requires business and security approval, with major services being subject to OGC Gateway Review.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

151056; 417 c645-6W

Session

2003-04

Subjects

Audit Software Computers Department of Trade and Industry ICT Government departments Monitoring Standards

Link

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