Information Technology Request
Dear Stroud District Council,
I am writing to make an open government request for all the information to which I am entitled under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
Please forward responses to the attached questions below.
I would like the above information to be provided to me as an electronic document.
If this request is too wide or unclear, I would be grateful if you could contact me as I understand that under the Act, you are required to advise and assist requesters. If any of this information is already in the public domain, please can you direct me to it, with page references and URLs if necessary.
If the release of any of this information is prohibited on the grounds of breach of confidence, I ask that you supply me with copies of the confidentiality agreement and remind you that information should not be treated as confidential if such an agreement has not been signed.
I understand that you are required to respond to my request within the 20 working days after you receive this letter. I would be grateful if you could confirm in writing that you have received this request.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours faithfully,
Gloria Zimba.
1. Do you have a formal IT security strategy? (Please provide a link to the strategy)
A) Yes
B) No
2. Does this strategy specifically address the monitoring of network attached device configurations to identify any malicious or non-malicious change to the device configuration?
A) Yes
B) No
C) Don’t know
3. If yes to Question 2, how do you manage this identification process – is it:
A) Totally automated – all configuration changes are identified and flagged without manual intervention.
B) Semi-automated – it’s a mixture of manual processes and tools that help track and identify configuration changes.
C) Mainly manual – most elements of the identification of configuration changes are manual.
4. Have you ever encountered a situation where user services have been disrupted due to an accidental/non malicious change that had been made to a device configuration?
A) Yes
B) No
C) Don’t know
5. If a piece of malware was maliciously uploaded to a device on your network, how quickly do you think it would be identified and isolated?
A) Immediately
B) Within days
C) Within weeks
D) Not sure
6. How many devices do you have attached to your network that require monitoring?
A) Physical Servers: record number
B) PC’s & Notebooks: record number
7. Have you ever discovered devices attached to the network that you weren’t previously aware of?
A) Yes
B) No
If yes, how do you manage this identification process – is it:
A) Totally automated – all device configuration changes are identified and flagged without manual intervention.
B) Semi-automated – it’s a mixture of manual processes and tools that help track and identify unplanned device configuration changes.
C) Mainly manual – most elements of the identification of unexpected device configuration changes are manual.
8. How many physical devices (IP’s) do you have attached to your network that require monitoring for configuration vulnerabilities?
Record Number:
9. Have you suffered any external security attacks that have used malware on a network attached device to help breach your security measures?
A) Never
B) Not in the last 1-12 months
C) Not in the last 12-36 months
10. Have you ever experienced service disruption to users due to an accidental, non-malicious change being made to device configurations?
A) Never
B) Not in the last 1-12 months
C) Not in the last 12-36 months
11. When a scheduled audit takes place for the likes of PSN or Cyber Essentials, how likely are you to get significant numbers of audit fails relating to the status of the IT infrastructure?
A) Never
B) Occasionally
C) Frequently
D) Always
Thank you for contacting Stroud District Council.
As you are aware we are facing unprecedented challenges in maintaining service levels because of increased workload and reduced staff resource due to the Coronavirus outbreak.
Critically-important services are being prioritised.
We will endeavour to respond to you as quickly as possible but please be aware that our responses are prioritised and at times it may take longer than usual to get back to you. We encourage you to visit our website https://www.stroud.gov.uk for information and advice and the latest updates on council services.
We are sorry for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding and co-operation.
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This is an automated response. Please do not reply to this email.
Dear Ms Zimba
Stroud District Council FOI Reference 6450
I acknowledge receipt of your FOI below via Whatdotheyknow.com
Your request is being dealt with under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and will be answered within 20 working days (please take into account the Christmas and New year break shutdown period).
If you have any queries about this request do not hesitate to contact me. Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future communications.
Sharon Skinner
Business Support Assistant
Stroud District Council
Ebley Mill, Ebley Wharf
Stroud, Gloucestershire. GL5 4UB
Working together to make Stroud district a better place to live, work and visit
Dear Ms Zimba
Please see the following answers to your Freedom of Information request.
Q1. Do you have a formal IT security strategy? (Please provide a link to
the strategy)
A1. Yes - Unable to release Security Strategy as it contains confidential
security information.
Q2. Does this strategy specifically address the monitoring of network
attached device configurations to identify any malicious or non-malicious
change to the device configuration?
A2. Yes
Q3. If yes to Question 2, how do you manage this identification process
A3. Semi-automated – it’s a mixture of manual processes and tools that
help track and identify configuration changes.
Q4. Have you ever encountered a situation where user services have been
disrupted due to an accidental/non malicious change that had been made to
a device configuration?
A4. Yes
Q5. If a piece of malware was maliciously uploaded to a device on your
network, how quickly do you think it would be identified and isolated?
A5. Immediately
Q6. How many devices do you have attached to your network that require
monitoring?
A)Physical Servers: record number - 20
B)PC’s & Notebooks: record number - 450
Q7. Have you ever discovered devices attached to the network that you
weren’t previously aware of?
A7. No
Q8. How many physical devices (IP’s) do you have attached to your network
that require monitoring for configuration vulnerabilities?
A8. Approx 1000
Q9.Have you suffered any external security attacks that have used malware
on a network attached device to help breach your security measures?
A9. Never
Q10. Have you ever experienced service disruption to users due to an
accidental, non-malicious change being made to device configurations?
A11. Yes
Q11. When a scheduled audit takes place for the likes of PSN or Cyber
Essentials, how likely are you to get significant numbers of audit fails
relating to the status of the IT infrastructure?
A11. Never
If you are dissatisfied with the handling of your request, you have the
right to ask for an internal review. Internal review requests should be
submitted within two months of the date of this email and should be
addressed to me. The review request will then be referred to the
Monitoring Officer for consideration.
Sharon Skinner
Business Support Assistant
Stroud District Council
Ebley Mill, Ebley Wharf
Stroud, Gloucestershire. GL5 4UB
Working together to make Stroud district a better place to live, work and
visit
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