Data Losses/Breaches

  • Reference Number: 2947
  • Date released: 07 March 2011

Request

  1. How many data losses or breaches have been reported in the last 3 calendar years up to the 31st December 2010
  2. What type of data losses or breaches were they - e.g. loss data stick, loss or theft of laptop, missing or found paper documentation,
  3. Have any losses been reported to the Information Commissioner during the same timescales
  4. Please provide a copy of the policy or procedure for reporting information security breaches or losses

Response

In accordance with section 1(1) (b) of the Act our response is provided below;

Question 1
2008 - 8
2009 - 20
2010 - 34

Question 2
Lost Airwave Radio
Lost Encrypted CD
Stolen Router
Lost Warrant Card
Lost Mobile Data Terminal
Stolen Laptop
Lost/Stolen Encrypted Memory Stick
Lost Memory Stick
Lost Blackberry
Lost Mobile Phone
Misdirected Fax Transmission
Lost papers
Lost RSA Token

Question 3
Yes, 1. The lost encrypted CD was reported to the Information Commissioner. The CD was found within 24 hours of the reporting of the original loss.

Question 4
Reporting & Management of Security Incidents

OBJECTIVE
To ensure that there is a standard procedure for reporting any information security incidents and that appropriate action is consequently taken to prevent further damage arising from the incident.

JUSTIFICATION
As the police service becomes more and more reliant on Information Systems, the efficiency and speed with which security incidents are dealt with will become highly important. A high level of response will only be achieved if formal incident reporting mechanisms are in place. As all incidents will be documented, the Force will have the benefit of identifying the type and nature of security incidents that the Force may be vulnerable to.

Definition of security incident

A security incident may be defined as an event such as a security breach, that could potentially undermine either the Confidentiality, Integrity or Availability of the information. This list highlights the approved definition as set out in section 3.2.6 of the ACPO/ACPOS Community Security Policy which states that a security incident is any suspected failure in information security, namely:

a) accidental or deliberate destruction of information
b) accidental or deliberate modification of information
c) accidental or deliberate unauthorised disclosure of information
d) accidentally or deliberately causing the unavailability of Force Information Systems
e) unauthorised access to Force information systems
f) misuse of force data or information
g) theft or loss of force information assets
h) any other event which affects Force information security

Reporting of incidents

The Community Security Policy (CSP) requires that any incident be reported, not just PNC related incidents. Therefore all security incidents must initially be reported, via e-mail, to the Data Protection Mailbox immediately. This communication should provide a brief summary of the incident.

After notifying the Information Management Unit, a standard form should be completed which details more fully the exact circumstances of the security incident. This must be sent no later than 72 hours after the initial e-mail.

All incidents relating to police information security will be forwarded to the PITO Information Security Officer and also highlighted at a future Information Security Group meeting. Urgent incidents will be reported via WARPS; less urgent ones via the 'Slow Time Incident Reporting Procedure'. Where necessary, further investigations will be made by the Information Management Unit in order to identify the cause of the breach (e.g. procedural errors, training needs) and to take preventative measures.

Procedure
1. Every individual who discovers a security breach, must report it to their line manager immediately. In the absence of the line manager, the breach must be reported to another supervisor or manager.
2. The line manager must inform the Data Protection Officer via e-mail, as outlined above. They must then complete the reporting form.

Serious Incident Management
All serious incident must be classified and managed in line with attached guidance

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