FOI request (FOIR-656645568)

Desktop Computers/Laptops

Requested Tue 22 October 2024
Responded Fri 25 October 2024

Please provide:

1. Total number of desktops in your estate (PCs, laptops, and tablets)

2. Who currently supplies the above (name of the incumbent)?

3. Do they include additional services such as technical support, maintenance, asset registration, imaging and disposal of existing device?

4. Who is your preferred manufacturer?

5. What is your current buying/refresh cycle?

6. Is this supplied under contract? If yes, when does the contract end?

7. Do you procure these devices through a framework? if yes, which one used (SBS, CCS, NDNA)?

8. What steps have you taken to tackle security risks in advance of 14th Oct 2025 when updates will no longer be available on Windows 10?

9. How do you access your applications (Citrix, VMWare, Microsoft 365, Cloud, or Fat Client environment)?

10. Are you looking to move from On-Premises to Cloud?

11. Name of person responsible for purchasing IT equipment.

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.