US Ministry of Defense (MoD) might be still taking data and cyber security concerns lightly. This can be concluded from the latest stats revealed by the various Federal Departments as a part of Freedom of Information Act derivative.
As per the numbers, it is estimated that laptops, computers and data sticks containing sensitive info went missing from various federal departments at a rate of more than one a day in this year.
Since the conclusion of recent general elections, it is estimated that at least 1000 items were reportedly lost or stolen from MOD alone. The numbers are likely to be more, as most of the government agencies are reluctant to release the actual info- saying that the details could be used by criminals.
After the elections held in this November, MOD seems to be the worst offender as a record 759 laptops and computers were lost and 32 stolen from the defense personnel related to Navy, Army and Airforce.
The figures submitted by MOD suggest that the department lost around 328 CDs, DVDs and USBs between October 2015-2016.
When contacted, MoD officials said that the suggested figures might come down significantly, as there could be a suspected accountancy error while filing the data.
The Department of Work and Pensions stands second after MoD when it comes to losing computing devices and accessories containing sensitive info. Till August 2016, the said government agency which serves around 22 million people has lost 42 laptops or PCs and 8 USBs.
The Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) department which was newly created stands third among the federal departments which lost valuable info in this year. BEIS lost six laptops since it’s set up in July this year.
Figures stated by Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs suggests that 12 laptops went missing from their respective departments in this year. Department of transport revealed that 7 laptops were missed or stolen from their authorities on various occasions in this year.
The Department of International Development said that one of its officials misplaces one laptop and 26 laptops were stolen from its employees in this year.
The Department for Culture, Media and Support, The Department of Education, Ministry of Justice, Department for Communities and Local Government, Department of Health and Cabinet Office and the Home Office were exempted from the data filing.
Thus, we can also conclude from the official figures that the info from the devices might have gone into wrong hands by now, giving cyber criminals enough opportunity to launch cyber attacks such as DDoS and Ransomware.
