Government experienced 11 database breaches last year

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Staff from two public sector departments have been fired or reprimanded for abusing their access to confidential databases, it was revealed today.

Home Secretary Alan Johnson confirmed the 11 security breaches at the UK Border Agency (UKBA) and the Identity and Passport Service (IPS) during questions at the House of Commons in a response to a question from Shadow Home Secretary Chris Grayling.

Five of the cases involved falsifying records and manipulating Home Office Systems whilst the other six concerned unauthorised access to a database or letting somebody else use their login details.

However, Johnson would not give more details on those who perpetrated the breaches or who they affected.

“It is UKBA policy not to disclose any personal information or to provide a further breakdown of the numbers of staff below five where this may potentially reveal to a third party the identity of the individuals involved,” he said.

“IPS records do not specify the activities involved in each particular case.”

The breaches were all said to have happened in 2009.

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