Most people think council computer systems are unsafe, according to a new survey by IT firm Sophos. The news comes after chancellor, Alistair Darling, admitted discs containing the personal details of 25m people went missing last week. Mr Darling admitted junior officials from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) had downloaded the entire child benefit database on to two discs and put them in the internal mail, where they were lost. A survey by the IT firm revealed that 85% of the public thought their council's computer systems had already been hacked, with 86% holding the local authority responsible, rather than cyber criminals. ‘One of the major challenges facing the public sector is that an increasing number of its services are going online for the public to use. ‘That's a great idea, but only if we have a proven security strategy in place which users believe in. Granting open access without one could dent public confidence, as well as put the network at risk,' explained senior Sophos security consultant, Carole Theriault. ‘What's more, it's not just storing these details online which leaves them vulnerable to theft. ‘This week's revelation about the security breach at HMRC is a clear indication that the Government must do more to protect this information, whether it's online, on a CD or wherever. After all, it is the general public's data at risk.' Doug Maclean, consulting manager at Socitm Consulting, said: ‘While most local authority systems probably have been attacked by hackers, thanks to the professionalism of ICT staff, few if any have succumbed. ‘Indeed, Socitm Insight's latest Better connected report shows clearly that local government websites are becoming more secure as they become ever more heavily used.'
