Homeland Security Department Vulnerable to Hackers, GAO Says

By Joseph Russell- Talk Radio News Service

According to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is still considerably vulnerable to cyber attacks.

“Over the past three years, GAO has consistently reported that DHS has yet to fully satisfy its key responsibilities, including those for coordinating and protection of cyber critical infrastructure,” said Greg Wilshusen, Director of Information Issues for the Government Accountability Office during a hearing Thursday with the House Technology and Innovation Subcommittee on weaknesses in U.S. cyber security.

The Cyber Space Policy Review and a recent report from the Government Accountability Office highlighted many problems in the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) cyber security operations and coordination. These problems include weak and outdated infrastructure, poor research, and lack of security.

A plan for collaborating national cyber security standards is needed, according to Wilshusen, because different agencies, including DHS, are unclear about their roles and responsibilities of addressing cyber security. 

The Bush Administration created the Comprehensive National Cyber Security Initiative (CNCI) to secure federal systems in 2008. The classified CNCI had issues securing systems because 85 percent of the U.S. infrastructure is owned and operated by private entities. Under President Obama, the CNCI seeks to grow cyber security through increased transparency and public-private partnerships.