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New Virginia IT Systems Lack Network Backup

Posted by timothy on from the private-did-not-make-perfect dept.

1sockchuck writes "Virginia's new state IT system is experiencing downtime in key services because of a mind-boggling oversight: the state apparently neglected to require network backup in a 10-year, $2.3 billion outsourcing deal with Northrop Grumman. The issue is causing serious downtime for state services. This fall the Virginia DMV has suffered 12 system outages spanning a total of more than 100 hours, and downtime hampered the state transportation department when a state of emergency was declared during the Nov. 11 Northeaster."

3 of 211 comments (clear)

  1. Easy by Spad · · Score: 5, Insightful

    During the first six months of the year, state Department of Transportation workers faced 101 significant IT outages totaling 4,677 hours: an average of more than 46 hours per outage. One took 360 hours to fix.

    That's 27 weeks of downtime in the space of 26 weeks, which raises a much more important question than why there's no network redundancy and that question is: What kind of fucking morons have they got running their systems?

  2. outsourcing by Clover_Kicker · · Score: 5, Insightful

    But I thought the magic pixie dust of free enterprise would make outsourcing something to the private sector cheaper, more efficient, and better in every possible way?

  3. Re:Blame Northrop? by eht · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Likely they were told they should have a backup, quoted a price, and said nah, we will be fine.