UK GOVERNMENT COMPUTERS STOLEN http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2065856/Ministry-Defence-280-laptops-stolen-18-months.html

What security? MoD has 287 computers stolen (or lost) in last 18 months

• 21 laptops were stolen during single incident
• 72 hard discs and 73 USB sticks also go missing
• Defence Secretary: 'Devices were encrypted'
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By CHRIS SLACK

Last updated at 7:55 AM on 25th November 2011

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Revelation: Defence Secretary Andrew Robathan said that the information on the stolen computers was encrypted or had other security measures in place

The Ministry of Defence had more than 280 computers lost or stolen in the past 18 months, figures have revealed.

Among the lost computers were 188 laptops and 99 desktops. A further 72 hard discs and 73 USB memory sticks went missing.

Defence Secretary Andrew Robathan revealed that 21 of the laptops were taken in a single incident in Germany.

A further 20 laptops were reported lost in a separate incident but subsequently turned up.

Mr Robathan stressed that information contained on the devices was encrypted or had other security measures in place.

The MoD also reported that 150 back-up tapes used to store information were missing.

Staff at the department also lost 18 mobile phones, 10 BlackBerrys and 194 CDs or DVDs.

Figures showed 135 other items, mainly USB tokens but also including radios, 3G cards and cameras, were also reported lost or stolen since the Coalition took office.

In a parliamentary written answer, Mr Robathan stressed that 'robust procedures' were in place to prevent losses.

He compared the current figures with 2008 when some 326 laptops were lost, with a further 129 going missing the following year.

Mr Robathan said: 'The MoD takes any loss and theft of communications and information systems and associated media storage devices very seriously.

'We have robust procedures in place to mitigate against such occurrences and to manage such losses when they do occur.

In the wrong hands: The figures showed that 188 laptops had been stolen, including 21 in a single incident in Germany

'This is reflected in the level of detail we record and our policy of including in our figures incidents when equipment may have been securely disposed of without the correct records being kept, where missing items are subsequently located 

and where incidents involve the loss of contractors' equipment which was being used to process defence information.

'The size and complexity of the MoD, more than 250,000 individuals operating all round the world, from permanent bases and in theatre and with frequent movement of kit between locations in support of operations means it is almost inevitable that equipment will go missing.

'Our challenge remains to reduce the number of such incidents and minimise the risk of any incident resulting in the loss of information by ensuring that devices are encrypted or, where this is not possible, that additional security measures are in place.

'Processes, instructions and technological aids are being continually reviewed, revised and implemented to mitigate human errors and further raise the awareness of every individual in the department of their vital role protecting MoD information and assets.'

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