Anger as hundreds of military computers lost or stolen
Hundreds of military computers have been lost or stolen in the last three years, new figures have revealed.
The MoD has admitted a total of 196 laptops, 54 desktop computers and 11 tablets have been recorded as missing since 2015.
Dunfermline and West Fife SNP MP Douglas Chapman, who uncovered the figures, says they are very worrying.
He said: “These are incredible figures especially in these days where IT security and cybercrime is so far up the overall national security agenda.
“For this to happen in what should be the most security conscious government department is beyond belief. Who knows the information that has been accidentally been given away to forces that want to do us harm or in whose expert hands some of that security information may now rest.”
Tobias Ellwood, Minister for Defence People and Veterans, said: “The MoD treats all breaches of security very seriously and requires all breaches to be reported regardless of whether there is firm evidence of loss or just an inability to account for some devices.
“All incidents are subjected to an initial security risk assessment with further action taken on a proportionate basis.
“It is MoD policy that all laptops, tablet computers and removable media are encrypted to minimise the impact if a loss were to occur.”