"MI5 laptop snatched"

[Owen Lewis]

----- Original Message -----
From: "Joe Dauncey" <toothbrushhead@yahoo.com>
To: <ukcrypto@maillist.ox.ac.uk>
Sent: 28 March 2000 11:50
Subject: Re: "MI5 laptop snatched"


> The problem is that the business chaps understand the legal/financial
> liability that lies upon them and so takes measures to secure those keys
> respective to that liability. If PC Plod then takes those keys, for which
they
> have no liability, then they are not so motivated to implement appropriate
> security.

True in some measure. Surely any key taken by Plod must prudently be
considered as compromised and changed accordingly?

> There has just been something on the lunchtime news about an MI6 laptop
being
> pinched.
>
> Cases like this do not suggest the entire physical security infrastructure
of
> the intelligence services is rubbish, but it does little to inspire
> confidence.

Also true. But these things happen. The carreer of the foolish one but
rarely survives such an incident.

The real quality of the security will be determined by the limitation of the
type of information permitted to be transported informally and routinely,
without escort and without a secure container.

The information released suggest strongly that the classification would have
been Restricted. Material of that classification certainly ought to be
looked after properly but requires no especial security precautions and
generally has all the sensitivity of a roll of lavatory paper.


Owen