BBC Online 24/3/2000: "MI5 laptop snatched"

[Owen Lewis]

----- Original Message -----
From: "Brian Gladman" <brian.gladman@btinternet.com>
To: <ukcrypto@maillist.ox.ac.uk>
Sent: 24 March 2000 17:42
Subject: Re: BBC Online 24/3/2000: "MI5 laptop snatched"


> In my view the contents are not absolutely secure. If this computer was
> stolen by 'kids' it will almost certainly defeat them but if this was a
> targetted theft by a foreign power (possibly disguised) then I am much
less
> certain that the contents will remain secure.  Computer security, as
> distinct from cryptographic algorithm security, is very, very hard to
> achieve.

Quite so. Accordingly, would you not expect there to be stringent rules
governing:

    -    Limits on the classification of material to be created on or
accessed through insecure systems.

    -    The removal of an insecure system from a secure environment.

    -    The escorting of highly classified material when in transit in any
physical form.

Simply asking, you understand...


Owen