INFORMATION SECURITY: Recent Attacks on Federal Web Sites Underscore Need for Stronger Information Security Management

Abstract

Two months ago, I testified before this Subcommittee on the "Melissa" computer virus, which temporarily disrupted the operations of some agencies by forcing them to shut down their e-mail systems. Since April, the federal government and the private sector have tangled with additional viruses, some more vexing than Melissa. For example, many agencies are now contending with "ExploreZip," an e-mail-delivered virus program that can destroy electronic files, degrade network performance, and eventually cause a denial of service on electronic mail servers. Today, I am here to discuss a different type of malicious attack-the recent series of break-ins of federal web sites. Like "Melissa" and "ExploreZip," these attacks demonstrate just how vulnerable federal information systems can be to computer attacks and, once again, underscore the need for better agency and government wide protection over systems.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 24, 1999
Accession Number
ADA391079

Entities

People

  • Keith A. Rhodes

Organizations

  • United States Government Accountability Office

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Cyber

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Commerce
  • Communications Protocols
  • Computer Networks
  • Computers
  • Cybersecurity
  • Denial Of Service Attack
  • Electronic Commerce
  • Electronic Mail
  • Information Security
  • Information Systems
  • Internet
  • Networks
  • Operating Systems
  • Personnel Management
  • Security
  • Websites
  • World Wide Web

Fields of Study

  • Computer science

Readers

  • Cybersecurity.
  • Educational Psychology
  • Government and Public Administration Law.

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics