Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Question 556: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he is satisfied that personal information relating to members of the public held on his departmental databases is safe from hackers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34287/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Department administers some fifty separate schemes and makes payments to one million people each week. The nature and volume of its business means that it has responsibility for a significant amount of personal and other data and it is heavily dependent on secure Information Communications Technology (ICT) facilities to provide its services. The Department is fully aware of its obligation to safeguard the security of this data and employs a wide range of measures to protect the confidentiality, availability and integrity of information.

Access to data by departmental staff and agents is strictly controlled and granted in accordance with departmental policies and procedures. Technological safeguards include the use of firewalls, Virtual Private Network technology, password protection and personal accounts.

All electronic data is stored securely in the Department and is replicated in a similarly secure environment for back-up purposes at a back-up site. Both sites have rigorous control procedures and site perimeter protection. Secure network arrangements including the use of data encryption and dedicated link lines are in place to cover the transmission of data to a small number of designated agencies (e.g. An Post, Bank of Ireland). The Department keeps its security and access arrangements under review in light of developments in security technology and approaches. It will continue to improve levels of protection for personal and other data.