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MoD laptop thefts 'could raise terror threat'
The Security Services are to investigate if terrorists have got hold of military personnel files following the theft of a Ministry of Defence laptop, the Defence Secretary announced. Des Browne told the Commons that MI5 and MI6 had been asked to assess whether the incident "could lead to an increased threat to our personnel". Intelligence chiefs said the risk depended on "whether the information had fallen into the hands of extremists".
Brilliant.
Fears have been raised the documents would contain the religious identities of applicants, putting Muslim recruits particularly at risk. Six men were arrested last year over an alleged plot to kidnap a British Muslim soldier and behead him.

"I am keenly aware of the risks should the data have fallen into the wrong hands, although I emphasise that there is no evidence that it has done so," Mr Browne said.

On two other occasions MoD laptops had been stolen which contained personal data that was not encrypted.
It also emerged that on two other occasions MoD laptops had been stolen which contained personal data that was not encrypted. Mr Browne had to admit that "no steps were taken to inform those whose records were potentially at risk" although criminals had not apparently exploited the information. He admitted there were "weaknesses in the application of MoD security procedures" to databases and "shortcomings in security training".

The latest laptop was stolen from the car of a Royal Navy officer left unattended overnight in the Edgbaston area of Birmingham on Jan 9. The MoD could not "wholly discount" if the officer's vehicle had been deliberately targeted by criminal or terrorists, Mr Browne said. "Appropriate action" had been taken against the Navy officer responsible for the loss, the House was told.

All MoD laptops have encryption software that is extremely different to crack - although it would be unlikely to deter foreign intelligence services. But the stolen device did not even have the encryption installed, which Mr Browne said was "a breach of MOD security regulations".

It contained details on 600,000 people who had expressed an interest in the Armed Forces. While some entries were just a name, terrorists might have gained access to 153,000 people's personal data such as National Insurance numbers, drivers' licence details, family details, doctors' addresses and National Health Service numbers. Another 3,700 people also had banking details in records that stretched as far back as 1997.

A full investigation into the thefts will now be conducted by Sir Edmund Burton, Chairman of the Information Advisory Council The theft is being investigated by the West Midlands Police, assisted by the Ministry of Defence Police.
Posted by: lotp 2008-01-22
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=220685