June 23, 2006   LIEBERMAN DEMANDS GREATER INFORMATION SECURITY FOR DHS TRUSTED TRAVELER PROGRAMS DHS IG Finds Major Weaknesses   Responding to a new Department of Homeland Security report on the protection of information used in frequent travelers programs, Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Ranking Member Joe Lieberman, D-Conn., said Friday the Department is lagging in an area in which it should be leading. In a report released Friday, the DHS Inspector General found that the Department has inadequate policies and procedures to protect information voluntarily provided by Americans enrolled in DHS’s trusted traveler programs. Lieberman called on DHS to improve the information security of these programs. “Major data thefts in the past few years have taught us the critical importance of information security,” Lieberman said. “The significant information security weaknesses unveiled in this report suggest that the Department of Homeland Security is lagging far behind in an area in which it should be leading. Americans who voluntarily provide the federal government with their personal information expect that information will be safe and free from tampering.” The trusted traveler programs were created to speed travel across land borders for pre-approved, low risk commercial travelers and commuters. The programs include Sentri for commuters on the Southern border; Nexus for commuters on the Northern border; and FAST for commercial travelers on both borders. Using a technology called Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), the Customs and Border Protection agency within DHS identifies trusted travelers so they can bypass traditional border crossing checks, thus speeding motor traffic across land borders. To enroll in the program, participants must provide certain personal information to get special ID cards which are embedded with RFID tags. The DHS Inspector General determined that DHS has not developed adequate policies and procedures to protect information collected for the trusted traveler systems. In particular: Access to travelers’ personal data was granted to DHS personnel who did not need it to perform their jobs. Policies were not in place to protect systems using RFID technologies. DHS lacked effective user account and password management controls. DHS failed to inform travelers that their personal data might be shared with other agencies, and that the programs use RFID technology. “The trusted travelers program is innovative and can greatly speed border crossings, but Americans will not participate if they fear their personal information is subject to abuse or inappropriate disclosure,” Lieberman said. “DHS must respond quickly to this report and improve security to restore trust in this program.”   ###   Printable Version   « previous Press Release next Press Release »   1998 - 1999 - 2000 - 2001 - 2002 - 2003 - 2004 - 2005 - 2006 - 2007 - 2008 June 2006 Press Releases   June 30 - Collins, Lieberman Seek to Address Government Fraud   June 29 - Dodd, Lieberman Help Secure Additional $4 Million for Coast Guard Research and Development Lab   June 29 - Lieberman Says DHS Infrastructure Protection Plan Not Enough   June 28 - Lieberman Speaks on Introduction of Bill to Reinvent FEMA   June 27 - Collins, Lieberman Seek Greater Funding To Protect Transit, Rail and Ports   June 27 - Lieberman Says Appeals Court Decision Reaffirms Opposition To DHS Personnel Changes   June 23 current Press Release   June 20 - Lieberman Welcomes Reversal of FEMA Trailer Evictions   June 20 - Democrats Seek Oversight of Iraqi Reconstruction Contracts   June 19 - Lieberman Says Federal Efforts to Ensure Diversity Must Improve   June 16 - Lieberman Says NRP Conclusion is Not Surprising   June 16 - Senators Collins, Lieberman, Coleman and Murray Call on Chertoff to Issue Transporation and Port Security Grant Guidance   June 15 - Senate Homeland SEcurity Committee Unanimously Passes Collins-Lieberman Chemical Security Legislation   June 15 - Lieberman Heralds Advancement Of Chemical Security Bill   June 14 - Lieberman Leads Defeat of Industry's Preemption Amendment to the Chemical Security Bill   June 14 - Lieberman Says Disaster Aid Abuse Underscores Need For A Reinvented FEMA   June 14 - Lieberman Calls for Investigation of the Appearance of Widespread Censorship by the Administration on Climate Change Research   June 9 - Some Katrina Victims Get a Break on Unemployment Benefits   June 9 - NASA Admits Wrongdoing in Not Allowing Top Scientist to Discuss Climate Change Research   June 8 - Senate Homeland Security Committee Holds Hearing on Where FEMA Belongs   June 8 - Lieberman Calls for Reinvention, Strengthening of FEMA   June 6 - Lieberman Assails GOP for Refusing to Extend Unemployment Benefits for 2005 Hurricane Victims
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