Malware and identify malicious changes

FOI Ref: ​FOI/2021/3365

You asked

Please supply the following information:

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 ​

We said

Thank you for your request. Please see the following answers to your questions:

1. Do you have a formal IT security strategy? (Please provide a link to the strategy)
Yes - Please see the attached document.

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?
No.

3. If yes to Question 2, how do you manage this identification process – is it:
N/A

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?
No

7. Have you ever discovered devices attached to the network that you weren't previously aware of?
No

10. Have you ever experienced service disruption to users due to an accidental, non-malicious change being made to device configurations?
Never

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?
Never

We are unable to provide answers to question 5, 6, 7 and 8, alongside the link to further information referenced in the final slide of the attached document. The details requested, particularly relating to security attacks and network vulnerabilities, could provide insights into the level of IT protection and would therefore aid anyone wishing to launch an attack on our IT systems. We therefore find s.31(1)(a) to be engaged as the release of the information would prejudice the prevention or detection of crime. The use of this exemption is subject to a public interest test. Whilst we note there are public interest arguments in favour of transparency and disclosure, we have decided that these are outweighed by other public interest factors in favour of non-disclosure. We consider that the release of the information requested would prejudice our ability to maintain and run a secure and safe IT network. This is an essential function for all government departments and is particularly important for ONS which processes personal and economic information on its systems.