Tue, Sep 27, 2005
FAA: That's Because We're Using Older, Customized
Equipment
Is the FAA adequately protecting its information systems from
cyber attack? If you ask the General Accountability Office, the
answer is a resounding "nope."
"FAA has made progress in implementing information security for
its air traffic control systems by establishing an agencywide
information security program and addressing many of its previously
identified security weaknesses; however, it still has significant
weaknesses that threaten the integrity, confidentiality and
availability of its systems -— including weaknesses in
controls that are designed to prevent, limit and detect access to
those systems," a new GAO report is quoted as saying.
Government Computer News reports the FAA has responded by
admitting there are areas of weakness, saying its equipment is
older and highly customized and therefore much more difficult to
protect from cyber-attacks.
Still, the investigative arm of Congress said there are several
things the FAA can address:
- update old security plans
- improve security awareness training
- improve testing and evaluation programs
The FAA said it would take the GAO
report under advisement, but said the report itself doesn't truly
reflect the state of security at the nation's air traffic control
facilities.
That evoked a raised eyebrow from the chairman of the House
Government Reform Committee, which asked for the GAO report. "Given
the ever-evolving nature of cyberthreats and the thought of someone
with malicious intent accessing FAA’s IT systems, complacency
is not an option," said Rep. Tom David (R-VA).
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