High-Risk Series: Protecting Information Systems Supporting the Federal Government and the Nation's Critical Infrastructures

Abstract

Since GAO designated computer security in the federal government as high risk in 1997, evidence of pervasive weaknesses has been continuing. Also, related risks have been escalating, in part because of the dramatic increases in computer interconnectivity and increasing dependence on computers to support critical operations and infrastructures, such as power distribution, water supply, national defense, and emergency services. This year, GAO expanded this high risk area to include protecting the information systems that support our nations critical infrastructures, referred to as cyber critical infrastructure protection or cyber CIP. Among other reasons for designating cyber CIP high risk is that terrorist groups and other shave stated their intentions of attacking our critical infrastructures, and failing to protect these infrastructures could adversely affect our national security, economic security, and/or public health and safety.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2003
Accession Number
AD1181014

Entities

People

  • David M. Walker

Organizations

  • United States Government Accountability Office

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Cyber

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Commerce
  • Computer Crime
  • Computer Network Security
  • Computers
  • Cyberattacks
  • Cybersecurity
  • Economic Security
  • Electronic Mail
  • Governments
  • Health Services
  • Homeland Security
  • Information Security
  • Information Systems
  • Law
  • National Governments
  • National Security
  • Public Health
  • Public Policy
  • United States
  • United States Government
  • Websites

Readers

  • Cybersecurity.
  • Economics
  • Government and Public Administration Law.

Technology Areas

  • Cyber