This website uses cookies to give you a better experience. For more information on why we use cookies, please read our cookie policy
Accept cookies
Skip to main content
Hastings Online logo
A-Z
Home | Help | Privacy | Login to My Hastings | Sign in / Register | Jobs Email alerts Hastings council Instagram Hastings council twitter feed Hastings council facebook page
  • My council
  • Freedom of Information
  • Requests and responses by category
    • FOI request (FOIR-525752097)

      IT Equipment

      Requested Wed 21 June 2023
      Responded Thu 06 July 2023

      Under the Freedom of Information Act, I would request you to respond to questions included in the attachment.
      For any reason if you are unable to open the attachment do let me know. I can then send the questions within the email itself.
      Please note: If you do not have records relating to the questions in the attachment, please pass on this request to your IT department to provide us with the required information.

      Response

      Notice of Refusal

      Disclosure of information relating to ICT systems, 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 systems, 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.

  • Freedom of Information

    Contact

    Contact us if you have a question about democratic services.


    Comments

    The content on this page is the responsibility of our Democratic Services team.


    Can't find what you're looking for? Try our A - Z

A-Z of services

  • Services beginning with A
  • Services beginning with B
  • Services beginning with C
  • Services beginning with D
  • Services beginning with E
  • Services beginning with F
  • Services beginning with G
  • Services beginning with H
  • Services beginning with J
  • Services beginning with L
  • Services beginning with M
  • Services beginning with N
  • Services beginning with P
  • Services beginning with R
  • Services beginning with S
  • Services beginning with T
  • Services beginning with U
  • Services beginning with V
  • Services beginning with W
  • Hastings Museum and Art Gallery website
  • Visit 1066 Country website
  • Email alerts Hastings council Instagram Hastings council twitter feed Hastings council facebook page

Accessibility statement

Contact us

© 2025 Hastings Borough Council