Growing IT Dependency Increases Cybersecurity Risks

By admin | May 28, 2009

Virtually all federal operations are supported by automated systems and electronic data, and agencies would find it difficult, if not impossible, to carry out their missions, deliver services to the public, and account for their resources without these information assets. As computer technology has advanced, federal agencies have become more dependent on computerized information systems to carry out their operations and to process, maintain, and report essential information. Information security is thus especially important for federal agencies to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of their IT systems.

Conversely, ineffective information security controls can result in significant risk to a broad array of government operations and assets. For example:

  • Agency missions could be undermined by embarrassing incidents that result in diminished confidence in the ability of federal agencies to conduct operations and fulfill their responsibilities.
  • Data could be added, modified, or deleted for purposes of fraud, subterfuge, or disruption.
  • Critical operations, such as those supporting critical infrastructure, national defense, and emergency services, could be disrupted.
  • Sensitive information, such as taxpayer data, Social Security records, medical records, intellectual property, and proprietary business information, could be inappropriately disclosed, browsed,
    or copied for purposes of identity theft, espionage, or other types ofcrime.
  • Computer resources could be used for unauthorized purposes or to launch attacks on other IT systems.
  • Resources, such as federal payments and collections, could be irrevocably lost or stolen.

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