Figures obtained by Janet Finch-Saunders, Assembly Member for Aberconwy, and Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Local Government, have revealed the times that access to websites through work ICT equipment has been blocked by local authorities, leading to calls for them to review their ICT policies.

The Member submitted a Freedom of Information Request to the 22 authorities in Wales. For the financial year of 2017/18, Janet asked to be provided with

1. The amount of time spent by staff on social media websites on work ICT equipment.
2. The number of attempts that were made by staff to access pornographic sites on work ICT equipment.
3. The number of attempts made by staff to access blocked sites: pornographic and not pornographic; on work ICT equipment

Of these 1 didn’t respond; 15 could not accurately answer or chose not to provide the information due to cost; and 6 provided data [see attachments].  

Reacting to these figures Janet said:

“This data must be approached with the greatest care as there is a possibility that it could relate to people using council equipment who are not staff.

“However, these figures do raise concerns about the use of publically procured IT equipment. Blocked sites are blocked for a reason – often security related. Attempts to access these have the potential to compromise the confidentiality and integrity of data held by an authority, and I trust that local authorities are taking the appropriate action where their figures flag up multiple access attempts.

“It is disappointing that other local authorities are unable to produce this information – and I would encourage them to ensure that their ICT security and monitoring systems are up to date so to ensure the security of all data and information that they hold.

“Some of these figures are truly startling, and I hope that in light of these, local authorities will seek to review their ICT policies. If it is found that council-owned ICT is being deliberately misused by staff, I would expect a full and proper disciplinary procedure to take place.

“As the Welsh Conservatives pointed out with regards to Welsh Government use of credit cards, the number of attempts to access blocked sites could contribute to a feeling that public resources are possibly being misused – there being a potentially deliberate misapplication of taxpayer funded equipment by a few”.

ENDS

Notes

Victoria’s Secret, Raffles, and iTunes: Shocking £7.5m Welsh Government credit card spend broken down

Documents attached

FOI responses from Bridgend, Carmarthenshire, Conwy, Newport, Pembrokeshire, and Powys.