Wirraway
5th Sep 2003, 12:29
AAP
Top secret airport files stolen
September 5, 2003
THE Australian Federal Police and Customs were investigating the theft of computer equipment from the cargo processing and intelligence centre at Sydney International Airport, an AFP spokeswoman said today.
The AFP have not confirmed what data was stolen.
Customs officials have said the stolen computers held thousands of confidential files, including top-secret communications between customs investigators, the AFP and ASIO.
But the AFP would not confirm exactly what was stolen.
Two men of Pakistani-Indian-Arabic appearance presented themselves as computer technicians and were given unfettered access to the airport's top security mainframe room on August 27, a Sydney newspaper reported.
"Inside, they spent two hours disconnecting two computers, which they put on trolleys and wheeled out of the room, past the security desk, into the lift and out of the building," the paper said.
'Quite strange'
Former NSW assistant police commissioner Paul McKinnon, who headed police operations at the Sydney Olympics, said the break-in was a wake-up call for airport security.
"It probably would not be a place where there was a requirement to hold nationally sensitive information," Mr McKinnon told ABC Radio.
"Unfortunately it happens, and I guess this is a substantial wake-up call to harden security arrangements in every aspect of the aviation facility there at Mascot."
Mr McKinnon said there should have been tighter security at the airport.
"Normally in that setting, there would be barriers they'd have to cross and then certainly be issued with visitor passes and operate under supervision," he said.
"It all seems quite strange."
The AFP spokeswoman today confirmed an investigation into the incident was underway.
"The AFP is working closely with the Customs service in relation to an investigation into the theft of computer equipment from Mascot which is reported to have happened 27th of August," she said.
Australia's top security agencies will reportedly conduct emergency damage audits following the theft.
"The Australian Federal Police and ASIO, the two chief guardians against terrorism, fired off angry memos to customs officials, demanding to know the extent to which their top-secret operations have been compromised," the newspaper said.
AAP
==========================================
Top secret airport files stolen
September 5, 2003
THE Australian Federal Police and Customs were investigating the theft of computer equipment from the cargo processing and intelligence centre at Sydney International Airport, an AFP spokeswoman said today.
The AFP have not confirmed what data was stolen.
Customs officials have said the stolen computers held thousands of confidential files, including top-secret communications between customs investigators, the AFP and ASIO.
But the AFP would not confirm exactly what was stolen.
Two men of Pakistani-Indian-Arabic appearance presented themselves as computer technicians and were given unfettered access to the airport's top security mainframe room on August 27, a Sydney newspaper reported.
"Inside, they spent two hours disconnecting two computers, which they put on trolleys and wheeled out of the room, past the security desk, into the lift and out of the building," the paper said.
'Quite strange'
Former NSW assistant police commissioner Paul McKinnon, who headed police operations at the Sydney Olympics, said the break-in was a wake-up call for airport security.
"It probably would not be a place where there was a requirement to hold nationally sensitive information," Mr McKinnon told ABC Radio.
"Unfortunately it happens, and I guess this is a substantial wake-up call to harden security arrangements in every aspect of the aviation facility there at Mascot."
Mr McKinnon said there should have been tighter security at the airport.
"Normally in that setting, there would be barriers they'd have to cross and then certainly be issued with visitor passes and operate under supervision," he said.
"It all seems quite strange."
The AFP spokeswoman today confirmed an investigation into the incident was underway.
"The AFP is working closely with the Customs service in relation to an investigation into the theft of computer equipment from Mascot which is reported to have happened 27th of August," she said.
Australia's top security agencies will reportedly conduct emergency damage audits following the theft.
"The Australian Federal Police and ASIO, the two chief guardians against terrorism, fired off angry memos to customs officials, demanding to know the extent to which their top-secret operations have been compromised," the newspaper said.
AAP
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