Government departments must use independent security experts to
test the resilience of their IT systems under a
gover
nment framework designed to prevent a repeat of HMRC’s high profile
data breach.
The framework, published today by Cabinet Secretary Sir Gus
O’Donnell, follows the
loss of child
benefit records by HMRC in November last year.
O’Donnell admitted the government’s data-loss problems were
not only caused
by staff mistakes but the lack of technical safeguards.
He said, "It should not have been possible to download the
entire database onto removable, unencrypted discs."
From now on departments must have the resilience of their
systems tested by independent IT experts (see
point 18 in the framework), to ensure they have adequately
addressed the risks. Departments holding personal data on more than
100,000 individuals must hire IT experts to conduct penetration
testing on their systems.
The framework requires civil servants who need to access
sensitive data outside the office to dial in on a home system or
through a remote secure channel, rather than transfer data on a
mobile device. All devices must be encrypted and the use of discs
will be phased out.
The government plans to minimise access rights to information
and will keep logs of electronically held information.
O’Donnell said, "There are technical systems answers to these
issues and where possible these are the ones we need to use.
Departments must also address the
culture surrounding
data handling in government," he said.
They will be required to carry out Privacy Impact Assessments on
projects and systems to ensure privacy issues are factored in from
the start.
Information risk management will be incorporated into the
government’s Gateway reviews that monitor the progress of the most
important projects. And staff will be given annual training on the
management of data.
For more of the latest revelations and conclusions about the
HMRC data loss, read:
Cultural failures led to HMRC data loss, says report
>>
Government should provide guidance on data breaches, say
experts >>
HMRC staff in muddle over gandling sensitive data, says report
>>
Summary of Poynter report and comment by Computer Weekly's Tony
Collins >>