Ride the Lightning

Federal Security Incidents Skyrocket 650 Percent

October 11, 2011

SC Magazine recently reported that federal security incidents are up by a whopping 650%. Considering how much personal data the feds hold – not to mention national security data – that's more than a little alarming. The article is based on a report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office – a name which invokes laughter even as I type it.

Federal agencies reported 41,776 incidents in 2010 – including malware, unauthorized access and denal-of-service – there were just 5,503 in 2006. All 24 major agencies were assessed and had deficiencies related to access controls, configurations and security management. In spite of being given suggestions for tightening security, most of the suggestions have not been fully implemented.

The IRS was specifically cited for not sufficiently restricting employee access to databases along with failure to address previously reported security issues.

Not a single one of the 24 agencies have fully implemnted an agency-wide information security program as required by the Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA).

In the dismal swamp that is Washington, D.C., "information security" is clearly a misnomer.

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