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Government computer security upgrade welcome

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Impressive advances in computer storage and data transfer have, without doubt, increased productivity and efficiency in the workplace. They have also blurred the fine line between office and home. More worryingly, they also make it easy to inadvertently leak important data. Since May, we have witnessed a spate of accidental data leaks by the government. Departments involved include social welfare, the police and customs and immigration. In 2006, the Independent Police Complaints Council accidentally leaked onto the internet the personal particulars of about 20,000 people who had filed complaints against the police. Leakage seems to have become a trend at a time when people's privacy is under threat everywhere because of advances in digital technology.

In a welcome move, the police have installed new security systems and guidelines to make sure there will not be another leak. Officers are now banned from taking work home via computer transfers, a habit that had led to some of the earlier leaks. Senior officials are pleased with how much they have achieved within a short time. It may be too early to declare victory, but we wish them every success, given the serious nature of confidential data kept by the police.

The extent to which the police have gone in upgrading their computer security will put pressure on other departments to follow suit. A panel meeting will be held tomorrow at the Legislative Council to review government computer security. Hopefully, officials will be able to report comparable security upgrades at other government departments.

However, we should not only focus on the government, but private companies as well. The private sector also holds extensive and vital personal data on customers. But it is not held to the same level of public accountability and scrutiny as the government. In cases of data leaks, pursuing compensation through the courts will be a costly and time-consuming process for most people. Therefore, besides more public education, efforts should be made to pressure companies to step up protection for customer data.

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