Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
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	Press Releases July 11, 2005   DHS IS FAILING IN ITS CYBER-SECURITY RESPONSIBILITIES Lieberman Comments on Latest GAO Report On DHS Internal Controls, Practices   WASHINGTON – Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Ranking Member Joe Lieberman, D-Conn., said Monday the Department of Homeland Security is failing to meet its responsibilities to keep its own computer infrastructure secure. A new study by the Government Accountability Office, requested by Senator Lieberman, found that the Department has not fully implemented practices and controls to protect its information systems nor the information contained within them. “How can the Department possibly protect the nation’s critical cyber-structure if it cannot keep its own house in order?” Lieberman said. “More than two years after the Department was formed, it should have a better grasp on protecting its own systems and information. I encourage it to follow the GAO’s recommendations to improve its cyber security expeditiously.” In May, the GAO issued a separate report critical of the Department’s ability to protect the nation’s computer infrastructure, citing underlying management problems. The DHS Inspector General has also publicly chided the Department for failing to install back-up systems should the Department’s computer functions fail. In its most recent report, the GAO said the Department had not completed: · risk assessments of its systems · information system security plans · testing and evaluation of its security controls · remedial action plans · plans for continuity of computer operations should a breach occur · a systems inventory “Until DHS addresses these weaknesses and fully implements a comprehensive, department-wide information security program, its ability to protect the confidentiality, integrity and availability of its information and information systems will be limited,” the GAO report said. GAO is recommending that DHS fully implement key information security practices and controls, and establish milestones for developing a comprehensive information systems inventory. The May GAO report, also requested by Lieberman, found that DHS has not fully addressed any of its 13 chief tasks for protecting the nation’s cyber infrastructure. For example, it had yet to develop a national threat assessment, a contingency plan in case of attack, and a plan to recover key internet functions, should they be disabled. Furthermore, the Department “continues to have difficulties” establishing working partnerships with other local, state, and federal agencies and with the private sector. For more information on the May GAO report, please click here: http://www.hsgac.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressReleases.Detail&Affiliation=R&PressRelease_id=1001&Month=5&Year=2005 The new report is available at: http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d05700.pdf -30-   ###   Printable Version   « previous Press Release next Press Release »   1998 - 1999 - 2000 - 2001 - 2002 - 2003 - 2004 - 2005 - 2006 - 2007 July 2005 Press Releases June   |  August   --   2004   |  2006     July 27 - Senate Homeland Security Leaders Call For Increased Mass Transit Security Funding   July 27 - Mining Reclamation is Poorly Managed By BLM   July 22 - Senators Collins and Lieberman Criticize TSA For Violating Privacy Laws While Testing Passenger Prescreening System   July 22 - Senators Collins, Lieberman Launch Investigation Into Mass Transit Security In the U.S.   July 22 - Lieberman Disagrees With Decision On Air Traffic Specialists   July 21 - Lieberman Says BLM Disregards Its Obligation To Protect the Environment From Oil and Gas Drilling Damage   July 20 - LIEBERMAN EXPECTS MORE FROM DHS CYBERSECURITY EFFORTS   July 18 - NEW HAVEN TO GET MORE THAN $37 MILLION FOR TRANSIT SECURITY, DODD AND LIEBERMAN ANNOUNCE   July 13 - SENATORS COLLINS & LIEBERMAN QUESTION INDUSTRY AND OTHER EXPERTS ON PRIORITIES FOR FEDERAL LEGISLATION TO MAKE CHEMICAL FACILITIES MORE SECURE   July 12 - LIEBERMAN CALLS ON CONGRESS/ADMINISTRATION TO BETTER FUND A RANGE OF HOMELAND SECURITY NEEDS   July 12 - SENATE APPROVES COLLINS-LIEBERMAN FIRST RESPONDER GRANT FORMULA, DOUBLES RISK-BASED HOMELAND SECURITY FUNDING   July 11 - SENATORS COLLINS & LIEBERMAN OFFER FIRST RESPONDER GRANT LEGISLATION AS AMENDMENT TO HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS BILL   July 11 current Press Release   July 10 - SENATORS COLLINS & LIEBERMAN RELEASE FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO IMPROVE SAFEGUARDS IN FEMA'S DISASTER RELIEF PROGRAM   July 8 - DODD, LIEBERMAN URGE DHS TO EXPEDITE DISTRIBUTION OF RAIL AND TRANSIT SECURITY FUNDS
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Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs 340 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510