[ISN] MoD fights data losses with encryption

[InfoSec News]

http://www.silicon.com/publicsector/0,3800010403,39214543,00.htm

By Nick Heath
Silicon.com
8 May 2008

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is to protect 20,000 laptops using 
encryption software.

Machines used by the army, navy and RAF will be given password-protected 
encryption using BeCrypt Disk Protect Baseline solution.

Disk Protect Baseline allows a hard disk to be encrypted and protected 
by a single encryption key but each user has a unique password and 
token.

A spokesman for the MoD said: "There was a feeling there was a need for 
stringent security standards and the reason we chose BeCrypt was its 
ability to deliver full hard drive encryption quickly."

The package will be used to protect data which has a Restricted 
classification or less, and will now be deployed on laptops not 
connected to the Defence Information Infrastructure. The MoD has already 
been using BeCrypt's Disk Protect Baseline system to protect Defence 
Information Infrastructure laptops since 2006.

The MoD has previously admitted several embarrassing data losses 
including mislaying 11,000 ID cards and losing more than 600,000 
servicemen's details.