YJB break-in sparks database security concerns

By Neil Puffett Thursday, 16 July 2009

Fresh concerns have been raised about the security of storing information on children after it emerged that computer server discs were among equipment stolen from Youth Justice Board (YJB) offices.

Woman using computer

CYP Now has learned that the discs, which were taken during a burglary at YJB offices in Victoria, London, related to the development of a new case management system to be adopted by all youth offending teams (YOTs) across England and Wales.

Once up and running, the system will allow YOTs to exchange information between themselves and other agencies. It will also connect to the controversial ContactPoint database.

A YJB spokesman said the team developing the software does not work directly with young people or their personal data.

But Terri Dowty, policy director at Action on Rights for Children, is seeking further assurances. She said the burglary highlights the potential risks relating to databases holding information on children.

"This isn't simply the loss of a few laptops, this is the loss of hard drives to systems holding information," she added.

"This is a very serious burglary and yet another example of why we should not have centralised databases that hold information about people. They are inherently unsafe."

Westminster CID is investigating the burglary, which happened at some time between Friday 19 June and Monday 22 June.

A YJB spokesman said a number of laptops were taken from the offices of the YJB's Wiring Up Youth Justice Programme team, in Greycoat Place, as well as hard discs from a server.

"Security arrangements were compliant with governmental policy and the laptops were encrypted," the spokesman said.

"The discs contained commercial information that is now superseded."

It is the second time in 18 months the YJB has been targeted by burglars.

In December 2007, the organisation's headquarters in Carteret Street, London, were raided and two laptops stolen after the electronic lock on the front door was deactivated.

Following that burglary, the YJB announced it had tightened security at its offices.