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FOI request (FOIR-180362782)
FOI REQUEST
Requested Wed 04 March 2020
Responded Fri 13 March 2020I am currently doing some research in regards to public sector security and under the Freedom of Information Act would be grateful if you could supply the details on the following points:
- Which Web Filtering Solution do you currently have implemented at the local authority?
- Do you use a different solution for your schools, corporate and other public services (such as libraries)? Please indicate which solutions do you use.
- How many users does this support?
- Who was this purchased through?
- How much is the current contract value and how many years does this cover?
- When is the Web Filtering contract due to expire?
- Who is in charge of reviewing the web filtering contract/solution?
- Do you use a standalone Filter or is it bundled within product suite?
- How is the system delivered :
A. centralised
B. decentralised
C. Other (please specify)
- How is the system deployed:
A. On premise
B. Cloud
C. Hybrid
- Which monitoring solution do you currently have implemented at the local authority?
Response
REQUEST REFUSED
Notice of Refusal Disclosure of information relating to ICT 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 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.
- Which Web Filtering Solution do you currently have implemented at the local authority?
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Freedom of Information
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