Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 21 Feb 2001

Vol. 531 No. 1

Written Answers. - Internet Access.

Denis Naughten

Question:

124 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if, in view of an article in a newspaper (details supplied) on 5 February 2001, he will state the steps he has taken to ensure that the use of his Department's e-mail and internet facilities are properly regulated; if a policy on the use of these facilities exists; when the policy was last updated; when the policy was last circulated to staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5114/01]

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

The Department has a business information protection policy aimed at ensuring the confidentiality, integrity and availability of all data supported on its computer systems and compliance with national and European legislative requirements in this regard. This policy provides clear direction for all staff in observing security requirements and includes a comprehensive set of baseline security recommendations. All facilities, including e-mail and the internet, are provided only to staff who need them to carry out their day-to-day duties.

Local management is obliged to familiarise all personnel with the business information protection policy. Individual employees must ensure that they use information and equipment in accordance with the appropriate standards and procedures. A copy of the policy statement is held by all managers. A compliance reminder is displayed on the monitor screen each time a person logs on to the Department's computer systems.

The Department's business information protection committee regularly reviews policy to ensure it is in line with the latest industry standards. Any resulting revisions and/or further standards required are issued as appropriate. The most recent update to the policy was in January 2001 and staff were notified. The Department is a member of the Information Security Forum from which it receives material and other advice regarding information security developments.