July 2002

66.18 Protection of the computer system

Where the computer hardware is removed to the official receiver’s office it should be adequately secured and insured as part of the insolvent’s estate. It should be kept at the official receiver’s office for the minimum period possible to allow for the collection of the data before disposal.

66.19 The evidential copy media

In all cases the original computer media or an image taken by CUST should be stored in sealed evidential bags which should not be unsealed unless specific instructions to do so are given by Prosecution Section, Disqualification Unit or DTI solicitors.

66.20 Storage conditions

The official receiver should ensure that all computerised accounting records are stored separately and centrally within the office so that storage conditions can be monitored at all times. Discs and tapes all have a limited life before the data stored on them becomes corrupted and thereby impossible to read. If a disc or tape is exposed to any of the following it may be corrupted and become useless:-

• a magnetic source,
• heat,
• cold,
• dirt,
• damp,
• flexing, bending or crushing of a disc,
• writing on a disc’s sleeve with a ball-point pen (if a disc sleeve must be marked a felt-tipped pen must be used), or
• touching the exposed area of the floppy disc itself.

66.21 Accessing the media

The second image of the data prepared by CUST is the working copy which the official receiver’s staff can access, interrogate the data electronically and print out information as needed. The data should be accessed on the office’s multimedia computer on which the relevant software has been installed. It must not be installed on an ELGAR computer. Training in the accessing and interpretation of these records will be provided.

[Back to Part 3 - Making a record of the computer system and its contents] [On to Part 5 - Use in evidence]