FOI request (FOI215462)

Windows XP

Requested Tue 13 June 2017
Responded  Tue 13 June 2017

Could you tell me how many computers you have currently which still operate with Windows XP?

Could you tell me how many computers you have currently which still operate with an operating system that predates Windows XP?

How many computers have been updated from Windows XP since April 2014 when Windows stopped issuing security upgrades for the system?

How much has your organisation spent upgrading from Windows XP since April 2014?

Response

1. Could you tell me how many computers you have currently which still operate with Windows XP? Notice of Refusal Disclosure of information relating to ICT infrastructure and security constitutes a security risk as it would leave the Council's computer assets more vulnerable to a malicious hacking attack. This means that disclosure would: • Make the Council more vulnerable to crime (Section 31) • Risk harming the systems on which the day-to-day business of the Council relies (Section 43) Section 31 (Law Enforcement) Section 31(1)(a) states that information is exempt if its disclosure is likely to prejudice the prevention or detection of crime. ICO guidance states that this can be used to protect information on a public authority's systems which would make it more vulnerable to crime. This exemption can be used by a public authority that has no law enforcement function: • To protect the work of one that does • To withhold information that would make anyone, including the public authority itself, more vulnerable to crime The crime in question would be a malicious attack on the Council's computer systems. Since the disclosure of the withheld information would make the Council's systems more vulnerable to such crime, the exemption is engaged. The exemption is subject to the public interest test. There is an overwhelming public interest in keeping the Council's computer systems secure which would be served by non-disclosure. This outweighs the public interest in accountability and transparency that would be served by disclosure. Section 43 (Commercial Interests) Section 43(2) states that information is exempt if its disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the commercial interests of any person (including the public authority holding it). Disclosure of information relating to ICT infrastructure and security puts the council at risk of a malicious hacking attack. This would compromise the Council's ability to provide its services and carry out 'business-as-usual' should our systems be compromised. Were our systems to be compromise, the cost of a system recovery would be detrimental to the Council's commercial interests. The exemption is subject to the public interest test. There is an overwhelming public interest in keeping the Council's computer systems secure which would be served by non-disclosure. This outweighs the public interest in accountability and transparency that would be served by disclosure. 2. Could you tell me how many computers you have currently which still operate with an operating system that predates Windows XP? Could you tell me how many computers you have currently which still operate with Windows XP? Notice of Refusal Disclosure of information relating to ICT infrastructure and security constitutes a security risk as it would leave the Council's computer assets more vulnerable to a malicious hacking attack. This means that disclosure would: • Make the Council more vulnerable to crime (Section 31) • Risk harming the systems on which the day-to-day business of the Council relies (Section 43) Section 31 (Law Enforcement) Section 31(1)(a) states that information is exempt if its disclosure is likely to prejudice the prevention or detection of crime. ICO guidance states that this can be used to protect information on a public authority's systems which would make it more vulnerable to crime. This exemption can be used by a public authority that has no law enforcement function: • To protect the work of one that does • To withhold information that would make anyone, including the public authority itself, more vulnerable to crime The crime in question would be a malicious attack on the Council's computer systems. Since the disclosure of the withheld information would make the Council's systems more vulnerable to such crime, the exemption is engaged. The exemption is subject to the public interest test. There is an overwhelming public interest in keeping the Council's computer systems secure which would be served by non-disclosure. This outweighs the public interest in accountability and transparency that would be served by disclosure. Section 43 (Commercial Interests) Section 43(2) states that information is exempt if its disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the commercial interests of any person (including the public authority holding it). Disclosure of information relating to ICT infrastructure and security puts the council at risk of a malicious hacking attack. This would compromise the Council's ability to provide its services and carry out 'business-as-usual' should our systems be compromised. Were our systems to be compromise, the cost of a system recovery would be detrimental to the Council's commercial interests. The exemption is subject to the public interest test. There is an overwhelming public interest in keeping the Council's computer systems secure which would be served by non-disclosure. This outweighs the public interest in accountability and transparency that would be served by disclosure. 3. How many computers have been updated from Windows XP since April 2014 when Windows stopped issuing security upgrades for the system? Information not held 4. How much has your organisation spent upgrading from Windows XP since April 2014? Information not held