USB found in the street had queen’s security info
A MEMORY stick containing sensitive Heathrow security data, including Queen Elizabeth’s route to the airport, was found lying in a London street, according to a report in a British newspaper.
A total of 76 files on the drive contained maps and restricted documents.
The USB stick, which was discovered by a man in north London, detailed the exact route the queen takes to the airport and her security measures as well as those for British cabinet ministers and foreign dignitaries, according to reports.
It also reportedly contained other sensitive information such as a timetable of security patrols guarding against terror attacks and the types of ID needed for restricted areas.
A spokesman for the airport said an internal investigation has been launched into the data breach.
The ‘Sunday Mirror’ said that the memory stick was handed to its reporters by a man who spotted it on the pavement in Ilbert Street, in Queens Park, as he made his way to a library to search for work. When he plugged the pen drive in, he was reportedly able to access 2.5GB of data, including 174 documents that were neither encrypted nor passwordprotected, and some of which were marked ‘confidential’ and ‘restricted’.
The paper reports the drive contained maps of the royal suite, which is used by the queen as well as cabinet ministers.
Among other data found were reportedly maps locating CCTV cameras and a network of tunnels linked to the Heathrow Express as well as details of the ultrasound radar system used to scan runways and the perimeter fence. A spokesman for the airport said security plans had been reviewed in light of the incident.
They said: “Heathrow’s top priority is the safety and security of our passengers and colleagues.
“The UK and Heathrow have some of the most robust aviation security measures in the world and we remain vigilant to evolving threats by updating our procedures on a daily basis.
“We have reviewed all of our security plans and are confident that Heathrow remains secure. We have also launched an internal investigation to understand how this happened and are taking steps to prevent a similar occurrence in future.” (© Daily Telegraph London)