[ISN] FBI reviewing IT security

From: William Knowles (wkat_private)
Date: Thu Jun 21 2001 - 17:59:36 PDT

  • Next message: InfoSec News: "[ISN] USA Today as DoD cyber-war propaganda mouthpiece"

    http://www.fcw.com/fcw/articles/2001/0618/web-webster-06-21-01.asp
    
    BY Christopher J. Dorobek 
    June 21, 2001 
    
    The FBIs information technology security practices are part of an
    internal review of the bureaus counterespionage efforts, said former
    FBI director William Webster, who is leading that review.
    
    Attorney General John Ashcroft specifically requested that the review
    cover IT security, Webster said during testimony before the Senate
    Judiciary Committee on Wednesday.
    
    Webster said the review is looking at:
    
    * The adequacy of the FBIs protection of computer and
      telecommunications systems. 
    
    * The bureaus audit trail capabilities examining the FBIs ability to
      track who has access to what information. 
    
    * The FBIs implementation of automated tripwire detection systems,
      which are used to notify officials when somebody is looking at
      information unrelated to their work. 
    
    Webster was brought in by FBI Director Louis Freeh, who steps down
    this week, in the wake of the arrest of Robert Hanssen, a veteran FBI
    counterintelligence agent who was arrested in February on charges of
    spying for the Russians for 15 years.
    
    Mark Tanner, the FBIs information resource manager, last month said
    that the bureau is looking at its computer security policies and
    practices in conjunction with the Webster study.
    
    There is no indication that Hanssen took advantage of holes in IT
    security policies or procedures, Tanner said. Instead the review is
    part of an overall effort to enhance security at the bureau, he said.
    
    Freeh appointed Webster to lead a commission that will make
    recommendations about what steps the FBI should take to prevent
    counterespionage incidents.
    
    Beyond the bureaus information system security, Webster said his team
    is also looking at personnel security, document security and
    organizational security.
    
    Webster was part of the Senate Judiciary Committees panel of officials
    who have investigated FBI problems over the years. The committee has
    stepped up its oversight of the FBI since the Democrats took over the
    leadership of the Senate. Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.)
    said the Senate has been remiss for failing to monitor the bureau more
    carefully.
    
    
    
    *==============================================================*
    "Communications without intelligence is noise;  Intelligence
    without communications is irrelevant." Gen Alfred. M. Gray, USMC
    ================================================================
    C4I.org - Computer Security, & Intelligence - http://www.c4i.org
    *==============================================================*
    
    
    ISN is hosted by SecurityFocus.com
    ---
    To unsubscribe email isn-unsubscribeat_private
    



    This archive was generated by hypermail 2b30 : Thu Jun 21 2001 - 23:04:44 PDT