Despite numerous reports, directives, and promises by the Federal Government that they are making their IT systems more secure, a July 27, 2007, GAO report suggested that the government continues to provide inadequate data security to protect critical operations and personal information maintained by various agencies.

"Significant weaknesses in information security policies and practices threaten the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of critical information and information systems used to support the operations, assets, and personnel of most federal agencies," the GAO concluded. Information security continues to be a governmentwide high-risk issue, GAO said.

According to the GAO report, every one of 24 major federal agencies and departments reviewed had weaknesses in at least one major data security area. The report recommended that agency inspector generals cover in greater detail information security processes such as system testing and evaluation, training, and incident reporting.

Read the full GAO report, "Information Security: Despite Reported Progress, Federal Agencies Need to Address Persistent Weaknesses" (GAO-07-837)

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