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Wednesday 18 June 2008
If we had let the government do it properly ...
Once again, it never rains but there's a storm. Out of the woodwork comes more computer thefts, of computers containing personal or very personal details. Yokel would guess that many of the details were only given because it was a legal requirement to give them, or because there remains some slight semblance of trust in the relationship.
First off the blocks was Hazel Blears who had some government details on a desktop PC in her constituency office. Probably against the rules, but they are government ministers and so are even more immune from criticism than ordinary politicians. Dear reader, please remember your place at the bottom of the heap, along with Yokel.
Then comes St George's Hospital, Tooting. Please go read the articles in The Register that are the links. For the computer security professionals who write and read there can say it so much more eloquently that Yokel. They can say that this Civil Service and its political "masters" just do not have the slightest clue when it comes to data security. And there is a further treat in store. Nudged by the comments (beware the language, there are some very angry people there) to the Tooting article, Yokel notes that a Wolverhampton GP gave away the medical records of 11,000 patients. A quick search for "laptop computer theft uk password protect" (without the quotes) got Yokel reeling. He had had enough after the first 100 or so results, and still they kept coming.
In NONE of these instances was the data encrypted. "Password protection" is a fig leaf, and will not do. All Yokel is waiting for now is some fool of a Home Secretary to claim that if we had the "biometric security" of ID Cards, then all would have been well, and none of the thefts would have happened.
Caution: It will be harmful to life if the reader were to hold his/her breath while waiting for someone to be punished (dismissed?) for these examples of Gross Misconduct.
Even worse than that is the realisation that one of the very best encryption products available (Truecrypt) is actually free. Yes that is right, gratis, without cost, and not only that, you don't have to pay for it! And still they think it isn't necessary!
Yokel shakes his head sadly, and exits stage left for a sit down. He has done as much thinking as he can bear for today.
