10/10/2008

MoD Hard Drive Missing

A computer hard drive with 1.6 million pieces of private information about the armed forces is missing, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has said.

The names and personal details of around 100,000 serving personnel across the Army, Royal Navy and RAF are believed to be on the drive.

The portable hard drive was used by EDS, the MoD's main IT contractor, to test computer equipment.

A spokesman for the MoD said: "On 8 October we were informed by our contractor EDS that they were unable to account for a portable hard drive used in connection with the administration of Armed Forces personnel data.

"This came to light during a priority audit EDS are conducting to comply with the Cabinet Office data handling review. The MoD Police are investigating this matter with EDS."

The missing drive also hold next-of-kin details as well as passport numbers and driving licence information.

(CD/JM)

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