Our wonderful MOD...

[dissuade]

I got this little gem in the post today:

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g304/dissuicide/OMFG.jpg?t=1201808790

If you can't make it out, it says that the MOD were a little slack on their security and have lost a load of info on a lot of folks. After a wee slap on the wrist from the government smartypants, they have, however, started a "thorough investigation". I am not to worry though, because "there is no evidence to suggest that your details are being used for criminal purposes" (gee, I am glad of that, because the crimes that you can't see CLEARLY aren't going on), and they may have only lost insignificant information, such as:
passport details
NI number
driver license number
family details
doctor's address
NHS number
SO, not really anything that anyone dodgy could do anything with. No, not at all.

BUT, on the plus side, they HAVE set up this glorious new helpline, that I can call for ABSOLUTELY FREE, should I want to divulge any more of my personal information to the MOD (such as Bank details, because apparently those weren't in the first lot that go nicked). BUT, to prove my identity if I do decide to call this number, I would have to provide:
a copy of my passport
a copy of my driver's license
a copy of an utility bill showing my home address
a copy of a letter from my bank
... presumably because they lost the first lot.



Srsly you guys, this is bonkers. I have no idea what to even say to this. The tone of the letter is so beautifully blaze, addressed in a manner that assumes total naivety.

Anyone else absolutely gobsmacked?

[neio79]

are you applying to the forces then?? as it was the details of potential reqruits that were lost.

[dissuade]

are you applying to the forces then?? as it was the details of potential reqruits that were lost.

Already in, but I'd still rather they didn't apply my information so liberally to the general populous.

[Lissa]

Are you 100% sure this is a genuine letter from the MOD and not possibly a fishing letter from the people who stole the info in the first place?

[Pedro68]

Lissa you're as sharp as a sticky pointy thing aren't ya ;-) very good, I wasn't thinking of that at all.

[Stig]

Are you 100% sure this is a genuine letter from the MOD and not possibly a fishing letter from the people who stole the info in the first place?

That's the first thing I thought. If someone were to give the additional information they asked for, they would have the complete set and good to go for serious ID theft spending sprees.

I'd take the letter to the police for verification.

[jamessunhill]

The MOD actually said they would be writing to those affected.

I'm suprised I haven't received one yet.

[stewie]

Heard this on the news last week, apparently a navy liuetenant left a laptop in the back of a car and it got stolen, wouldnt have happened with the R.A.F. of course, but there you go ;) I think it could well be genuine though.

[neio79]

Already in, but I'd still rather they didn't apply my information so liberally to the general populous.

In what cos the Army are not affected and you must have only recently joined as well i assume as its only the recent sprogs (sorry recruits) that have been affected.

We have had Email come arround about the control of USB's etc and Laptops now.

[dissuade]

In what cos the Army are not affected and you must have only recently joined as well i assume as its only the recent sprogs (sorry recruits) that have been affected.

We have had Email come arround about the control of USB's etc and Laptops now.

Navy, August 2006. I suppose that classes as only recently having sold my soul to the devil.

And the letter is genuine, I had a look on the MOD site and it lists the same helpline number and what to do in case of panic, etc. I thought that it was a scam at first too, would have been ingenious.

[ASM-Forever]

Heard this on the news last week, apparently a navy liuetenant left a laptop in the back of a car and it got stolen, wouldnt have happened with the R.A.F. of course, but there you go ;) I think it could well be genuine though.

I have a friend in the RAF, who works for the MOD in London and he has had 2 laptops stolen in the last few years.....it happens all the time. One was stolen from his house and the other was stolen on a flight to the US.

I personally wouldn't worry about it, as even the less sensitive data will have some form of encryption, that most opportunist thieves won't bother with.

[neio79]

Navy, August 2006. I suppose that classes as only recently having sold my soul to the devil.

And the letter is genuine, I had a look on the MOD site and it lists the same helpline number and what to do in case of panic, etc. I thought that it was a scam at first too, would have been ingenious.


yeah it does sprog !! haha, so what you do in the Navy?? And tell me they dont let you have that colour hair LOL.

Looking at your Avatar i bet you have all the Sailor boys and bootnecks after you on board ship?? ;)

[neio79]

I personally wouldn't worry about it, as even the less sensitive data will have some form of encryption, that most opportunist thieves won't bother with.

:rolleyes: you would think wouldent you?? LOL yeah it does the Laptops we have have basic encryption on, this problem came from the fact this bloke had data on his personal laptop.

we dont help ourselves by sticking stickers on all our Restricted and above stuff. People would brobably mot bat an eyelid if it was plain.

[ThEGr33k]

I love my job. I love my employer. Which of these two are wrong? ha ha ha.

Im in the RAF I havnt had anything through as yet. Ive been in a little longer than dissuade though. :(

[neio79]

I love my job. I love my employer. Which of these two are wrong? ha ha ha.

Im in the RAF I havnt had anything through as yet. Ive been in a little longer than dissuade though. :(
wouldent worry its only the recent recruits that have been affected!

[ethariel]

Recent data, iirc the data lost goes back over the past 10 years, relativley recent. One of the items being questioned is the MoD data retention issue under the DPA and whether it is excessive......

[ThEGr33k]

Yes got home today to find the letter daying that my info has gone missing... :rolleyes: And ill bet we get nothing for this. Yet if it was the other way around we'd be bent over and have large spikey objects inserted. :smt021

Smack tards.

[Luckypants]

One of the items being questioned is the MoD data retention issue under the DPA and whether it is excessive......

The government is exempt from DPA, in the main. Hence their completely lackadaisical attitude to data security. Sending data through the post, allowing sensitive data to be stored on personal use machines, leaving PCs unattended, in cars (FFS!!!!) etc... What a bunch of complete idiots. However if you pay peanuts, you get monkeys (EDS etc) running your IT....

It is writ large in my contract and reinforced annually with thumbscrew based training about maintaining data security for my job. (and I never even see personal or commercially sensitive data)

[SoulKiss]

There is no reason for large datasets of private information to be on Laptops at all.

Certainly not un-encrypted.

Why does the information have to leave the office, where is should be stored in a way that every access is logged ?

Working from home/on the train/whatever doesnt cut it.

Details like that should be under the highest protection.

For a fraction of the cost that all these government IT policies cost to devise, I could come up with something better AND still end up a very rich guy.

And I would have it ready by the end of next month.

[gettin2dizzy]

There is no reason for large datasets of private information to be on Laptops at all.

Certainly not un-encrypted.

Why does the information have to leave the office, where is should be stored in a way that every access is logged ?

Working from home/on the train/whatever doesnt cut it.

Details like that should be under the highest protection.

For a fraction of the cost that all these government IT policies cost to devise, I could come up with something better AND still end up a very rich guy.

And I would have it ready by the end of next month.
a pen, notepad and safe?

[neio79]

Recent data, iirc the data lost goes back over the past 10 years, relativley recent. One of the items being questioned is the MoD data retention issue under the DPA and whether it is excessive......


well they could have had mine if i was not i nte Army as i have just past the 10 year point!

[Ceri JC]

My details are probably amongst those lost. If only the ****wits had gotten their recruitment for IT security in hand, this would never of happened. As it is, due to their stupid beauracracy (particularly regarding internal recruitment) and pitiful offered salaries, they are still looking to fill a post I saw 3 years ago. I actually applied for one of these only to find they lost my appllication form (so maybe it's not amongst this data, who knows?), which I only found out when someone I knew there rang up to ask why I'd not applied, as the job was as good as mine. Useless!

[Luckypants]

There is no reason for large datasets of private information to be on Laptops at all.

Certainly not un-encrypted.

Why does the information have to leave the office, where is should be stored in a way that every access is logged ?

Working from home/on the train/whatever doesnt cut it.

Details like that should be under the highest protection.

For a fraction of the cost that all these government IT policies cost to devise, I could come up with something better AND still end up a very rich guy.

And I would have it ready by the end of next month.

Which is why you don't work in the civil service. :) Able to make a career in the real world.........

[neio79]

Which is why you don't work in the civil service. :) Able to make a career in the real world.........

ohhhh harsh but fair!!

[jamessunhill]

Got home from my holls yesterday and there was one of these letters waiting for me, along with a nice cheque from the MOD (for my travelling expenses attending the selection course in Nov and Jan).