Close
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
Read Down
Sign in
Close
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Read Down
Password recovery
Recover your password
Close
Search
Logo
Logo
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
More
    Home Cybersecurity
    • Cybersecurity
    • IT Management
    • PC Hardware

    Department of Interior Computers Missing, Report Finds

    By
    Brian Prince
    -
    May 28, 2009
    Share
    Facebook
    Twitter
    Linkedin

      A report by the U.S. Department of Interior’s inspector general’s office does not paint a rosy picture of the department’s IT.

      On the heels of a separate report alleging widespread failures around the tracking and managing of passports, the inspector general found that the department cannot locate roughly 18 percent of a sample of 2,500 computers in its inventory. Almost all of the unaccounted-for computers-more than 97 percent-belong to the Fish and Wildlife Service.

      “The lack of accountability for desktop and laptop computers should be of great concern to the Department and its eight bureaus,” the report states.

      The heart of the issue seems to be recordkeeping. Of the eight bureaus, only two-the Bureau of Land Management and the Office of Surface Mining-were judged to have kept good records of their computer inventory. Three of the bureaus kept no records whatsoever, and the remaining two had their recordkeeping rated “poor.”

      Some 450 of the unaccounted-for computers belong to the Fish and Wildlife Service. Just 13 of the computers were formally identified as “missing” during the inventory process, possibly due to recordkeeping issues. Between October 2007 and November 2008, the Department of Interior lost 66 laptops, including 17 rated “high criticality,” the report notes. It also states the problem is potentially serious because the department’s computers are generally not encrypted.

      The data control issues extended all the way to the end of the computers’ life cycles. While all of the bureaus had policies in place governing the disposal of machines, compliance with those policies varied widely.

      “The methods used to demonstrate that computers were properly sanitized ranged from internal disposal forms with IT certification statements to labels placed on the equipment to IT Helpdesk logbooks,” the report states.

      Michael Colombo, a regional manager for the inspector general’s office, noted in a letter to department officials that controlling data and machines was crucial due to the department’s various focuses.

      “Given the department’s diverse missions, varying and often opposing constituencies, and controversial issues including environmental and Indian trust matters, infrastructure assets such as dams, bridges, and monuments, and land and minerals management activities, information control is essential,” he wrote.

      The report recommends that the department implement a uniform departmentwide system for controlling chain of custody of machines, and incorporate sanitation procedures when it comes time to dispose of devices. The department should also require that the loss or theft of computers be reported to the department’s Computer Incident Response Center, and begin encrypting all portable computers in the department, the report states.

      Brian Prince

      MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

      Android

      Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro: Durability for Tough...

      Chris Preimesberger - December 5, 2020 0
      Have you ever dropped your phone, winced and felt the pain as it hit the sidewalk? Either the screen splintered like a windshield being...
      Read more
      Cloud

      Why Data Security Will Face Even Harsher...

      Chris Preimesberger - December 1, 2020 0
      Who would know more about details of the hacking process than an actual former career hacker? And who wants to understand all they can...
      Read more
      Cybersecurity

      How Veritas Is Shining a Light Into...

      eWEEK EDITORS - September 25, 2020 0
      Protecting data has always been one of the most important tasks in all of IT, yet as more companies become data companies at the...
      Read more
      Cybersecurity

      Visa’s Michael Jabbara on Cybersecurity and Digital...

      James Maguire - May 17, 2022 0
      I spoke with Michael Jabbara, VP and Global Head of Fraud Services at Visa, about the cybersecurity technology used to ensure the safe transfer...
      Read more
      Big Data and Analytics

      GoodData CEO Roman Stanek on Business Intelligence...

      James Maguire - May 4, 2022 0
      I spoke with Roman Stanek, CEO of GoodData, about business intelligence, data as a service, and the frustration that many executives have with data...
      Read more
      Logo

      eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site’s focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

      Facebook
      Linkedin
      RSS
      Twitter
      Youtube

      Advertisers

      Advertise with TechnologyAdvice on eWeek and our other IT-focused platforms.

      Advertise with Us

      Menu

      • About eWeek
      • Subscribe to our Newsletter
      • Latest News

      Our Brands

      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms
      • About
      • Contact
      • Advertise
      • Sitemap
      • California – Do Not Sell My Information

      Property of TechnologyAdvice.
      © 2021 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

      Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.

      ×