Information security : federal agencies have taken steps to secure wireless networks, but further actions can mitigate risk : report to congressional committees.

Format:

Book

Government document

Author/Creator:

United States. Government Accountability Office

Contributor:

Wilshusen, Gregory C.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Wireless communication systems--Security measures--United States.

Wireless communication systems.

Computer networks--Security measures--United States.

Computer networks.

Wireless LANs--Security measures--United States.

Wireless LANs.

Administrative agencies--Security measures--United States--Evaluation.

Administrative agencies.

Computer networks--Security measures.

Wireless communication systems--Security measures.

Wireless LANs--Security measures.

United States.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (ii, 45 pages) : illustrations

Other Title:

Federal agencies have taken steps to secure wireless networks, but further actions can mitigate risk

Place of Publication:

[Washington, D.C.] : U.S. Govt. Accountability Office, [2010]

Summary:

Over the past several years, federal agencies have rapidly adopted the use of wireless technologies for their information systems. In a 2005 report, GAO recommended that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), in its role overseeing governmentwide information security, take several steps to help agencies better secure their wireless networks. GAO was asked to update its prior report by (1) identifying leading practices and state-of-the-art technologies for deploying and monitoring secure wireless networks and (2) assessing agency efforts to secure wireless networks, including their vulnerability to attack. To do so, GAO reviewed publications, guidance, and other documentation and interviewed subject matter experts in wireless security. GAO also analyzed policies and plans and interviewed agency officials on wireless security at 24 major federal agencies and conducted additional detailed testing at these 5 agencies: the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Transportation, and Veterans Affairs, and the Social Security Administration. GAO is making two recommendations to OMB to enhance governmentwide oversight and four recommendations to the Department of Commerce for additional guidelines related to wireless security.

Contents:

Background

Comprehensive policies, use of secure technologies, risk-based approach, training, and monitoring among leading practices for deploying and monitoring secure wireless networks

Agencies have acted to secure wireless networks, but additional steps are needed to effectively mitigate security challenges

Conclusions.

Notes:

Title from cover screen (GAO, viewed on Dec. 2, 2010).

"November 2010."

Includes bibliographical references.

"GAO-11-43."

OCLC:

688641840