--- Subject: FW: Reopening of inquiry into security of information technology Date: Wed, 10 Sep 2003 15:01:52 +1000 From: "Simon Bedak" <SBBat_private> To: "Declan McCullagh" <declanat_private> Dear Declan Welcome back. Big IT news story in Australia last week involved the Australian Customs Service who managed to lose a couple of important computers in broad daylight. Couple of thieves dressed up as maintenance personnel, wandered in, disconnected the machines and exited. I wonder, if the press didn't break the news before the Govt did would the locals have been told? Anyway, the security breach seems enough to get the Australian Parliament's Public Accounts and Audit Committee to reopen its inquiry into the integrity of electronic information, which will run parallel with its inquiry into Aviation Security. Information attached. Cheers Simon Bedak Sydney, Australia -----Original Message----- From: Dodd, Geoff (REPS) [mailto:Geoff.Dodd.Repsat_private] Sent: Wednesday, 10 September 2003 2:25 PM Subject: Reopening of inquiry into security of information technology ######################################### House of Representatives - Email alert service ######################################### Issued by: House of Representatives Liaison & Projects Office, Wednesday 10 September 2003 ReOPENING OF INQUIRY INTO SECURITY OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Parliament's Public Accounts and Audit Committee resolved today to reopen its inquiry into the integrity of electronic information held by the Commonwealth. This inquiry will now run in parallel with the Committee's inquiry into Aviation Security. Public Accounts and Audit Committee Chairman, Mr Bob Charles MP said: "The security of confidential information on government computers is of ongoing concern for all Australians and critically so when it relates to aviation security. "The decision to reopen the inquiry has arisen from the Committee's disappointment at learning about IT security breaches through the media, rather than from government officials who were giving evidence to the Committee. "On 4th September the Committee took evidence from the Australian Customs Service for the Aviation Security inquiry only to find out, on the following day, that there had been a major theft of IT equipment at a Customs facility adjacent to Sydney Airport. "At the same hearing, the Committee took evidence from the Department of Transport and Regional Services, only to hear the following week about a computer theft from one of their secure offices in Canberra. "The Committee will recall officials from both agencies and others so that its Members can receive full briefings on the incidents. The Committee will hold both public and confidential hearings to investigate the matters. "It becomes a matter of national importance when confidential security related information can be taken from supposedly secure locations. "As the Parliamentary Committee charged with responsibility for reporting to Parliament on the accountability of the public service and the Executive, we take these matters very seriously." For further comment, contact Mr Bob Charles, MP, on telephone (02) 6277 4775 in Canberra or (03) 9762 4066 in Melbourne. For details on the Committee's inquiries into Aviation Security and IT Security, contact the Committee Secretary on telephone (02) 6277 4615. More information about the JCPAA and its inquiries can be found at: [<http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/jpaa/index.htm>http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/jpaa/index.htm] Issued by: Geoff Dodd Assistant Director (Media/Communications) Liaison & Projects Office, House of Representatives Tel: (02) 6277 2063 w, 0401 143 724 m ------------------------------------------------------------------------- POLITECH -- Declan McCullagh's politics and technology mailing list You may redistribute this message freely if you include this notice. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- To subscribe to Politech: http://www.politechbot.com/info/subscribe.html This message is archived at http://www.politechbot.com/ Declan McCullagh's photographs are at http://www.mccullagh.org/ Like Politech? Make a donation here: http://www.politechbot.com/donate/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------
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