2012 Annual Report of the Interception of Communications Commissioner
9. DISCUSSING MY ROLE
I have taken the opportunity on a number of occasions this year to explain my role by delivering
speeches and making formal responses to consultations on intelligence oversight. It is my belief
that any speeches I make or interaction I have with international colleagues should focus on the
legislation underpinning the interception of communications or acquisition of communications
data, how I conduct my oversight role and, to the extent possible, my assessments of compliance
at the public authorities I oversee.
9.1 Opening Address to the International Communications Data
& Digital Forensics Conference
I was invited to give a speech at the International Communications Data & Digital Forensics
Conference in March 2012. The conference was organised by the ACPO Data Communications
Group. The delegates at the conference were mainly LEA staff (investigators, analysts, digital
forensic staff, Senior Investigating Officers, SPoCs, DPs and SROs) and staff from various CSPs.
There were also a number of representatives from foreign LEAs and private companies involved
in forensic communications. The conference is made up of a large number of seminars covering
various communications data and digital forensic inputs. Delegates can decide which seminars to
attend in order to further their technical knowledge.
My speech focused on Part I Chapter 2 of RIPA and I welcomed the opportunity to explain how
I saw my role as Interception of Communications Commissioner and that of my inspectors. My
speech covered the importance of communications data to terrorist and crime investigations,
the importance of ensuring that staff in this field are adequately trained and the need to ensure
that the capability to acquire data is maintained. I discussed the continuing threats, challenges
and opportunities of the technological advancements, my function in relation to the oversight
of errors and the responsibility of all involved in the process to provide the public with the
necessary reassurance that public authorities are using their powers lawfully, responsibly and
effectively.
9.2 Meeting with Intelligence and Security Committee
In April 2012 the Intelligence Services Commissioner, the President of the Investigatory Powers
Tribunal and I met with members of the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC). The ISC was
established by the Intelligence and Security Act (1994) with a remit to provide parliamentary
scrutiny of the expenditure, administration and policies of the intelligence agencies. Our meeting
was not a formal evidence session, but we did have a useful exchange of views about our roles
and our assessments of compliance at public authorities, the role of NAFN in relation to local
authority access to communications data and the proposals for intelligence oversight reform.
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