Data Protection.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 September 2008

Tuesday, 30 September 2008

Questions (326, 327)

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

437 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the policies in place to secure portable electronic data devices in his Department; if those policies have been published; if so, the locations where they can be viewed; if a system of whole disk encryption has been rolled out to all laptops in his Department; the date by which he expects a satisfactory security policy on portable electronic data devices to have been implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32400/08]

Written answers

Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)

My Department does not have a published policy regarding the security of portable electronic devices. The issue of the security of these devices is under review. To date no security breaches in relation to any Departmental equipment has been reported. Laptop computers are not encrypted at present but it is expected that encryption will be in place by the end of 2008, in addition to the existing security measures already in place.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

438 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of Department owned computer desktops or laptops or other data devices, such as blackberries and memory keys, reported lost, missing or stolen from his Department to date in 2008; the number of same later recovered or found; the number still missing; if sensitive or private data was compromised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32415/08]

Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)

I am informed that no such devices were reported lost, missing or stolen to date in 2008.

Question No. 439 answered with Question No. 434.