INFORMATION SECURITY: Cyber Threats and Data Breaches Illustrate Need for Stronger Controls across Federal Agencies

Abstract

Effective cybersecurity for federal information systems is essential to preventing the loss of resources, the compromise of sensitive information, and the disruption of government operations. Since 1997, GAO has designated federal information security as a government-wide high-risk area, and in 2003 expanded this area to include computerized systems supporting the nations critical infrastructure. Earlier this year, in GAO's high-risk update, the area was further expanded to include protecting the privacy of personal information that is collected, maintained, and shared by both federal and nonfederal entities. This statement summarizes (1) cyber threats to federal systems, (2) challenges facing federal agencies in securing their systems and information, and (3) government-wide initiatives aimed at improving cybersecurity. In preparing this statement, GAO relied on its previously published and ongoing work in this area.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 08, 2015
Accession Number
AD1174088

Entities

People

  • Gregory C. Wilshusen

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Cyber

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accountability
  • Business Administration
  • Commerce
  • Computer Crime
  • Computer Networks
  • Computers
  • Congress
  • Contractors
  • Control Systems
  • Cyber Threats
  • Cyberattacks
  • Cybersecurity
  • Data Leakages
  • Department Of Veterans Affairs
  • Electronic Mail
  • Governments
  • Information Security
  • Infrastructure
  • Malware
  • National Security
  • Personnel Management
  • Security
  • Social Media
  • United States Government

Readers

  • Cybersecurity.
  • Government and Public Administration Law.

Technology Areas

  • Cyber