[LINK] Read the INSTRUCTIONS, Alby

[Jan Whitaker]

[what happens when an egotistical parliamentarian can't admit he made 
a mistake]


User error blamed for security concerns

Alana Schetzer
Published: September 17, 2012 - 7:38PM

Fumbling thumbs have been blamed for a software glitch that caused 
claims of a major security breach to be made on the floor of 
Parliament after the email and calendar of several MP's was exposed 
across the parliamentary computer system.

<http://www.theage.com.au/national/mp-questions-computer-program-security-20120917-262a6.html>MP 
questions computer program security

Several MPs including Federal Member for Hume Alby Schultz complained 
to the Department of Parliamentary Service last Thursday that their 
private information was accessible, something he called a "serious 
security breach" and that sparked fears Parliament House computers 
had been hacked.

But the truth, investigations revealed, was rather more everyday. The 
MP's involved did not know how to use their email system correctly.

Mr Schultz told The Age he became aware of the potential problem when 
the staffer of another MPs office informed him that his calendar 
could be seen from her computer. The staff member's access to his 
calendar was also removed at the same time, he said.

"It was a very serious security matter and I asked the department if 
it was a glitch or was it an event due to persons hacking into the 
parliamentary system," he said.

Mr Schultz raised the issue in Parliament today with the deputy 
speaker after he was unsatisfied with the DPS's response.

But Department of Parliamentary Service acting secretary Russell 
Grove said there was no evidence of hacking and that the issue only 
affected a small number of member's computers. He said the email 
service allows users to nominate access to multiple users and that is 
what he believes occurred.

"People need to be careful and read the instructions and this is why 
it occurred. It's not a system-wide issue," he said.

The DPS sent out instructions to all 5000 users of the parliamentary 
computer system on Friday, informing them how to use the Outlook 
email and calendar system, including how to invite or remove access 
to third parties.

The parliamentary computer system was recently updated with new 
software, which was originally blamed for the so-called glitch.

Mr Schultz said Mr Grove's assurance was "nonsense" and that he 
remained concerned about MPs privacy and security.

"If, for instance, the breach reaches out to a minister of the crown, 
and there are people out with an axe to grind who could access the 
minster's calendar...that would expose the minister to undue problems.

"I just want an assurance that everything has been fixed and that 
security of member's computers are as safe as humanly possible."

This story was found at: 
http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/political-news/user-error-blamed-for-security-concerns-20120917-262d9.html 




Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
jwhit at janwhitaker.com
blog: http://janwhitaker.com/jansblog/
business: http://www.janwhitaker.com

Our truest response to the irrationality of the world is to paint or 
sing or write, for only in such response do we find truth.
~Madeline L'Engle, writer

_ __________________ _