Ministry of Defence loses computer disc with 700,000 more personal records

Michael Evans, Defence Editor The Ministry of Defence faces an investigation by the Information Commissioner after the disappearance of a computer hard drive containing details of Armed Forces personnel and thousands of potential recruits. Richard Thomas, the commissioner, will decide what steps to take after the MoD has completed its own inquiry. The removable hard drive was supposed to have been stored in a secure room with only limited access to personnel with special pass codes. The MoD contacted the commissioner after EDS, the company responsible for protecting the confidential data, failed to find the hard drive during an audit ordered by the Cabinet Office. “There have to be adequate safeguards in place when protecting confidential data,” the commissioner's spokeswoman said. Officials at EDS, the world's second-biggest... [read full story]