By Steve Neavling
ticklethewire.com
The Secret Service has computer systems that are neglected and rife with bad management, according to a report by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) at the Department of Homeland Security.
The OIG launched an investigation into the Secret Service after employees breached the computer systems and leaked personal information about Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Republican, in retaliation for investigating agents’ misconduct, the Washington Post reports.
“Despite past warnings, USSS (U.S. Secret Service) is still unable to assure us their IT systems are safe,” Chaffetz said, citing the report.
The problems went well beyond the Chaffetz case.
According to the report, the “audit uncovers a myriad of problems with Secret Service’s IT management including inadequate system security plans, systems with expired authorities to operate, inadequate access and audit controls, noncompliance with logical access requirements, inadequate privacy protections, and over-retention of records. The OIG concluded that Secret Service’s IT management was ineffective because Secret Service has historically not given it priority. The Secret Service CIO’s (Chief Information Officer) Office lacked authority, inadequate attention was given to updating IT policies, and Secret Service personnel were not given adequate training regarding IT security and privacy.”
