Resources for Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA)

Lots of excuses, little use of encryption on government mobile computers

www.networkworld.com

Generally available encryption technologies could help some notoriously data-leaky federal agencies protect sensitive information - if they used it.

Of 24 major federal agencies watchdogs at the Government Accountability Office reviewed through September 2007, 70% had not yet installed encryption software on laptops or hand-held mobile computers where such security technology could do the most good. Further, the GAO said that of six agencies that had employed encryption, its implementation was weak and procedures for managing these technologies, and training of personnel in the proper use of installed encryption products was lacking. Not a pretty picture.

As a result of these weaknesses, federal information, such as medical records, social security numbers and other personal data may remain at increased risk of unauthorized disclosure, loss, and modification, the GAO concluded.

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