A USB memory stick containing the source code and internal passwords to a UK government database of 18 million citizens was found in a bar parking lot, are believed to be part of the Government Gateway system. No security breach has taken place. However, the UK's Daily Mail was given the USB stick first and informed the Department of Work and Pensions -- the government agency in charge of the site -- that it had been recovered.

The agency then shut down the gateway until the memory stick was returned to Atos Origin, the IT company in charge of the site.The memory stick's accidental loss was eventually attributed to a 29-year-old analyst named Daniel Harrington. Atos Origin has a large international customer base, and has been contracted to provide infrastructure to the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Source:→ BetaNews