DOE infosec weaknesses led to 199 intrusions

In an evaluation of the DOE's unclassified cybersecurity program for last fiscal year, the department's IG cited a number of problems, including an incomplete understanding of the agency's cybersecurity requirements by site-level IT personnel. The department also had difficulty in identifying and fixing previously reported weaknesses in a timely manner, according to the report.

"Without continuing vigilance in this area, it is likely that future attacks will continue to jeopardize the availability and integrity of critical information technology assets," the IG said.

The DOE has taken steps to improve its infosec program, including issuing policies that emphasize a risk-based approach, the report noted. But the IG said the department has failed on several fronts.

It had not completed a certification and accreditation of each major system, and had no disaster-recovery plans for mission-critical systems. It had also failed to ensure adequate security controls were in place at all of its sites.

www.ig.doe.gov