Commerce to fund IT security

[InfoSec News <isn () c4i org>]

Forwarded from: William Knowles <wk () c4i org>

http://www.fcw.com/fcw/articles/2004/0112/web-sade-01-14-04.asp

By Dibya Sarkar 
Jan. 14, 2004 

A senior Commerce Department official said funding will be poured into
information technology security this year, emphasizing that
contractors they work with will begin to provide background checks for
their employees.

Michael Sade, director for acquisition management and procurement
executive, said the real impact of IT security isn't going to be on
the technology side, but on the personnel side -- such as ensuring
vendors have security clearances. Other security considerations would
mean looking at overseas companies that provide help desk services and
where they're located, he said at a Federal Sources Inc. executive
breakfast today.

Federal agencies have been increasingly demanding security clearances
for contractor employees, especially since the 2001 terrorist attacks.  
Commerce officials plan to implement such requirements soon, said
Sade, who pointed to reports by the department's Office of Inspector
General that cite where improvements can be made.

"Those are where are vulnerabilities are," he said. "Those are where
we're going to be making our investments."

Sade generally spoke about how Commerce officials will better partner
on projects with vendors and other government agencies through
dialogue. Department officials will make better business cases for
such projects using more performance-based contracts, he said.

Significant projects underway include modernization of the Patent and
Trademark Office and National Weather Service. Commerce has begun
making significant IT investment in preparation for the 2010 Census --
possibly including the capability of doing surveys through the Web,
Sade said.

Another growing trend will entail better review of satellite programs
in which the department funds projects that are overseen by other
departments and agencies. For example, the department has a memorandum
of understanding with the U.S. Navy for several Commerce-funded
programs, which Navy officials oversee, he said.

Sade said the department will now review whether it's picking the
right government partner to manage Commerce funds and review the other
department's management process.


 
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