Thursday 26 July 2012

Some of our laptops are missing!

This next story comes from newsnetscotland.com , It appears someone has nicked some laptops :

"Police have been called in to investigate the theft of some 50 laptops from Glasgow City Council, over half of which were previously used by councillors with all but three unencrypted.

Graeme Hendry, the SNP group leader on the Council, has called on the ruling Labour group to explain why they have repeatedly failed on data security. The loss of the computers was noticed last month while council officials were investigating the theft of two other computers, one of which contained the financial and personal details of many thousands of individuals and companies. "

"One of the first laptops reported stolen held the bank account detals of 16,000 individuals and companies, in total the computer held the personal details of 37,835 suppliers and city residents.  The laptop was one of two which were stolen around the 28th of May during a break in at the council's Cochrane St offices.  "

"ACCESS, the company responsible for security on Glasgow Council Premises, was strongly criticised in an internal audit carried out by the Council.  According to the report, the company was responsible for issuing over 160 unencrypted computers earlier this year, in contrary to council policy.

Despite the criticisms from the council's own officials and the recent loss of computers containing sensitive data, Glasgow Council is recommending that the company takes over responsibility for key council buildings, including the City Chambers, Park Circus registry office, Parish Halls and the council's offices in Martha Street.

"ACCESS is a joint venture owned by Glasgow City Council and Serco Ltd – the company which run prisons and immigration removal services across the UK.

The company was created in 2008 when disgraced former leader Stephen Purcell was head of the Labour run local authority.  Mr Purcell resigned in March 2011 admist controversy after admitting to drug use.  Allegations were made that Mr Purcell and his group created the so called arms-length organisations or ALEOs as a means of dispensing favour and patronage.

Glasgow councillors awarded themselves extra payments for sitting on the boards of ALEOs.  In 2010 Glasgow City Council admitted that 40 councillors were sharing an annual payout £261,491 for sitting on these companies.  A report by Herald newspaper in 2010 revealed how Mr Purcell used Aleo payments to support an elaborate system of political patronage, with many Labour councillors received thousands of pounds annually over and above their salaries and council expenses."

If they can`t even keep track of some laptops what hope is there for them spending your money wisely?

1 comment:

  1. Calling a company that is supposed to keep thieves out 'Access' is beyond irony.

    ReplyDelete