U.S. Agencies Earn D+ on Computer Security

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.'"

Comments

Re:The Failing Grades

[ArmchairGenius]

But you would think (hope) that the Department of Homeland Security would at least be able to secure their own darn computers.....

One More Reason...

[fupeg]

to get rid of government agencies.

Seriously, it's obvious where this is headed. This report was done by a Congressional committee using reports from each agency's inspector general. That's a lot of ineffective bueracracy to start with, but it's only going to get worse. Next we'll have an agency devoted just to making sure these other agencies have proper security. And of course each of those agencies will need to hire specialized people and consultants to figure out how to fix their security problems, and then to diligently maintain the new security fixes on an ongoing basis.

So what do we have at the end of the day? The government reports on itself and determines that more government is needed. Never saw that coming. At least there was one good thing to come of thus, from TFA:

The poor grades effectively dampen efforts by U.S. policy makers to impose new laws or regulations to compel private companies and organizations to enhance their own security

If only their sense of freedom was enough to "dampen" these efforts...

Re:Psst...

[JPriest]

I don't even have to read the article to guess that the suggested remedy is to secure more funds to spend more money on the problem. Anytime any government agency goes public with information it is because they need more money.