http://www.fcw.com/fcw/articles/2001/0514/web-secure-05-14-01.asp
BY Christopher J. Dorobek
05/14/2001
The FBI is conducting an overview of its computer security policies
and practices in the wake of spying accusations against Robert
Hanssen, according to a senior FBI information technology official.
The FBI is conducting a review of its security practices in parallel
to the one being conducted by former FBI Director William Webster,
said Mark Tanner, the FBIs information resources manager.
Although there is no indication that Hanssen took advantages of holes
in IT security policies or procedures, the review is part of an
overall effort to enhance security at the bureau, Tanner said Thursday
at Federal Sources Inc.s annual Outlook conference.
"We just want to make sure that we dont have vulnerabilities that we
really cannot afford to have exploited," he said.
Hanssen, 56, a veteran FBI counterintelligence agent, was arrested in
February. He is accused of spying for the Russians for 15 years. FBI
Director Louis Freeh has appointed Webster to lead a commission that
will make recommendations about what steps the FBI should take to
prevent similar incidents.
The case presents a good opportunity to review security policies,
procedures and practices. Tanner noted that Hanssen had a high degree
of access to FBI systems because he had a high-level clearance.
FBI will likely implement new tools to improve internal security,
Tanner said. Funds for those efforts are not included in the fiscal
2002 budget, he noted.
Turner made his comments before the Justice Department announced it
had failed to account for more than 3,000 documents related to the
Oklahoma City bombing. Published reports have blamed the FBIs
antiquated computer systems.
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Received on Tue May 15 01:27 CDT 2001