Another Laptop Stolen, says MoD: Total Now 659
The Ministry of Defence has disclosed details of a further laptop theft – this laptop, the MoD said, containing “sensitive information.”
According to a spokesman for the ministry, the theft took place at the Britannia Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool, UK.
659 MoD Laptop Thefts
Taking this loss into account, a total of 659 MoD laptops have now been stolen – the new case adding to the 658 laptops-lost-since-2004 figure quoted by the ministry on July 18th.
Friday’s information emerged in reply to questions asked in Parliament.
The Liverpool hotel theft took place on the previous day – July 17th, according to the MoD spokesman. The laptop itself had been placed on the floor while an official from the ministry was checking out.
A Merseyside Police spokesman stated that the theft was being looked into.
USB Memory Stick Losses, Thefts
At the end of last week, details also came out on how over 100 USB memory sticks had either gone missing or been stolen over the course of the past four years.
In relation to this news, an MoD spokesman referred to a “recent report... [which] found that MoD policies and procedures are generally fit for purpose”
The report, he added, “...also identified a number of areas where MoD needs to do better in protecting personal data.”
"The MoD has developed, and is now working through an action plan to address all of the report's recommendations and bring the department's handling of personal data to an acceptable state", the spokesman concluded.
Of the 659 laptops that have been stolen, only 32 are said to have been retrieved.
At least 26 instances of USB memory stick loss/ theft are said to have occurred this year alone. Three of these sticks held “secret” data, while 19 had “restricted” information, it is understood.
Source – Armed Forces International’s Political Correspondent
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