FC: Australian government scrambles to address electronic security

[Declan McCullagh <declan () well com>]

---


Subject: FW: Reopening of inquiry into security of information technology
Date: Wed, 10 Sep 2003 15:01:52 +1000
From: "Simon Bedak" <SBB () masseybailey com au>
To: "Declan McCullagh" <declan () well com>


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.Reps () aph gov au]
Sent: Wednesday, 10 September 2003 2:25 PM
Subject: Reopening of inquiry into security of information technology


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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








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