Laptop stolen from MoD with encryption key that could open highly sensitive files

Kyle — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 04:03:16 +0000

The Sun and now the BBC have reported that a laptop used by a high-ranking RAF Officer at the UK’s Ministry of Defence was stolen in late November; possibly much more recently that included an encryption key with the potential to open highly sensitive files. The laptop was said to be stolen from a highly secure area has arisen fears that a mole is operating within the Ministry. If the severity of the breach is as serious as has been reported, this could be be one of the largest breaches of data security in a very long time.

It is not known if the laptop in question has been secured with disk encryption or any other type of techniques used in attempt to keep data from unauthorized parties.

As of writing this, the MoD has been bluntly quiet on the incident saying only that “An investigation is ongoing.”

Heads up to The Spy Blog UK for highlighting this

Tags: Breaches, data security, disk encryption, late november, ministry of defence, mole, raf officer, sensitive files, severity, unauthorized parties

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Laptop stolen from MoD with encryption key that could open highly sensitive files