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U.S. Agencies Earn D+ on Computer Security

Posted by CowboyNeal on from the but-it-still-passes dept.

MirrororriM writes "Seven of the 24 largest agencies received failing grades, including the departments of Energy and Homeland Security. The Homeland Security Department encompasses dozens of agencies and offices previously elsewhere in government but also includes the National Cyber Security Division, responsible for improving the security of the country's computer networks. 'Several agencies continue to receive failing grades, and that's unacceptable,' said Rep. Tom Davis, R-Va., the committee's chairman. 'We're also seeing some exceptional turnarounds.'"

18 of 190 comments (clear)

  1. Psst... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    D isn't failing.

    1. Re:Psst... by friedknut · · Score: 2, Funny

      Homeland Security: Who cares about computer security when we can just make up some random shit about Star Wars.

    2. Re:Psst... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny
      Now it isn't! They're saying that with all the redunancies in the new integrated DHS they'll cut out all the duplicated IT efforts - keeping the cost effective and secure ones - and cutting the over budget and insecure ones that aren't needed now that these agencies have been merged...

      [/me goes off to read the article]

      ... oh, nevermind. you were right.

  2. Oh, the dreaded D+ by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    "You're below average, but you do it very well!"

  3. D+? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Better work on that C++

  4. GW Bush says by Profane+MuthaFucka · · Score: 5, Funny

    "A D+ is NOT a failing grade. Sure, there's some room for improvement, and we're working on this. It's hard work. But the fact that these agency passed the test, even by a slim margin, is good news."

    Now watch this drive.

    --
    Fascism trolls keeping me up every night. When I starts a preachin', he HITS ME WITH HIS REICH!
    1. Re:GW Bush says by R.Mo_Robert · · Score: 5, Funny

      From what I hear, he's actually planning to put the department on a watch list in accordance with the No Department Left Behind Act.

      --
      R.Mo
  5. But I'm not... by Avyakata · · Score: 5, Funny

    If I was more involved in politics, and, for some unknown reason, absolutely hated Bush...my commment would read something like:

    Ah...stupidity is a communicable disease...

  6. Re:FOIA makes computer security mute by Profane+MuthaFucka · · Score: 2, Funny

    Isn't the point of security to be mute? (about the secrets, that is...)

    --
    Fascism trolls keeping me up every night. When I starts a preachin', he HITS ME WITH HIS REICH!
  7. It's Worse Than You Think by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    We all know grade inflation runs rampant in the U.S.

  8. But the important thing is.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    .. that they showed up for class and tried their best. It's all we can really ask for.

  9. Under new dept of education rules by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Grades of D and below can no longer be referred to as "failing" and are now to be referred to as "success challenged."

  10. Re:The Failing Grades by arootbeer · · Score: 4, Funny

    Yes...I would hate to think the Government would have to spend billions on something as unimportant as securing their computer systems. Couldn't they just do it as a supplemental request?

  11. all uphill from here by to_kallon · · Score: 3, Funny

    'We're also seeing some exceptional turnarounds.'
    now, ianam (i am not a mathematician) but is there any other direction for them to go....?

    --


    The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it.
    -Oscar Wilde
  12. At least now they don't have to blame the UK by ian+rogers · · Score: 3, Funny

    Next time we attack a country and then the public finds out there was no evidence behind the attacks, they won't have to get Britain to cover for them.

    They can just get a guy with a nerdy voice to go up to the podium and say "OMG WTF OUR DATA WAS HAX0RED."

    At least that excuse is believable.

  13. Irony by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    You didn't RTFA before complaining that people didn't RTFA.

  14. This does show improvement! by commodoresloat · · Score: 2, Funny

    They've gone from D to D+ -- sure, there's still room for more improvement, but why do you guys always have to look at the negative side of things?

  15. The REALLY Sad Part Is... by Lally+Singh · · Score: 2, Funny

    You know they graded on a curve.

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    Care about electronic freedom? Consider donating to the EFF!