While the scale of the data loss by theUK’s Revenue and Customs is indeed stunning, there is still noindication that the missing disks containing information from 25million UK residents has actually fallen into unfriendly hands.However, this is now almost irrelevant as we in the security industrysit and wait for the first scam or phishing attack that plays onpeople’s doubts and fears.
For those unaware of this issue, on November 20th Her Majesty’sRevenue & Customs (HMRC - the UK's tax and excise agency)acknowledged that it had lost two computer disks containing largeamounts of confidential information, including names, addresses, datesof birth, and in some cases bank account information. The missing disks— apparently lost while being transported — may include information onas many as 25 million individuals, including recipients of childbenefits.
HMRC believe the disks are still within one of their sites, butafter an exhaustive search, they have...
