MoD fights data losses with encryption

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is to protect 20,000 laptops using encryption software.

Machines used by the army, navy and RAF will be given password-protected encryption using BeCrypt Disk Protect Baseline solution.

Exclusive Special Report: CIO Agenda 2008

Click here to find out what's hot on the top tech execs' agendas for 2008…

Disk Protect Baseline allows a hard disk to be encrypted and protected by a single encryption key but each user has a unique password and token.

A spokesman for the MoD said: "There was a feeling there was a need for stringent security standards and the reason we chose BeCrypt was its ability to deliver full hard drive encryption quickly."

The package will be used to protect data which has a Restricted classification or less, and will now be deployed on laptops not connected to the Defence Information Infrastructure. The MoD has already been using BeCrypt's Disk Protect Baseline system to protect Defence Information Infrastructure laptops since 2006.

The MoD has previously admitted several embarrassing data losses including mislaying 11,000 ID cards and losing more than 600,000 servicemen's details.