by Deb Cupples | I don't get it. We taxpayers spend (especially via the Defense Department) hundreds of billions of dollars each year on private contractors -- some of whom are supposed to be experts in computer technology. You'd think they'd be able to keep at least one set of computers (i.e., the Pentagon's) safe.
You'd think that those well paid contractors would design a special, hacker-proof system: one that uses a secret, proprietary operating system if nothing else. God knows they've had time enough (and tax dollars enough) to do it. And yet, the Los Angeles Times reports:
"Senior military leaders took the exceptional step of briefing President Bush this week on a severe and widespread electronic attack on Defense Department computers that may have originated in Russia -- an incursion that posed unusual concern among commanders and raised potential implications for national security.
"Defense officials would not describe the extent of damage inflicted on military networks. But they said that the attack struck hard at networks within U.S. Central Command, the headquarters that oversees U.S. involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan, and affected computers in combat zones. The attack also penetrated at least one highly protected classified network.
"Military computers are regularly beset by outside hackers, computer viruses and worms. But defense officials said the most recent attack involved an intrusive piece of malicious software, or "malware," apparently designed specifically to target military networks." (LA Times)
This reminds me of the problem involving Information-technology contractor UNISYS, which the Washington Post reported on in September 2007:
"The FBI is investigating a major information technology firm with a $1.7 billion Department of Homeland Security contract after it allegedly failed to detect cyber break-ins traced to a Chinese-language Web site and then tried to cover up its deficiencies....
"A t the center of the probe is Unisys Corp., a company that in 2002 won a $1 billion deal to build, secure and manage the information technology networks for the Transportation Security Administration and DHS headquarters. In 2005, the company was awarded a $750 million follow-on contract.
"On Friday, House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) called on DHS Inspector General Richard Skinner to launch his own investigation."
You'd think that just a few million dollars would be enough for a group of techies to come up with just one hacker-proof system. With nearly $2 billion, they should be able to come up with dozens of hacker-proof systems.
Incidentally, I wonder how that investigation of UNISYS is going.
Memeorandum has commentary.
Other Buck Naked Politics Posts:
* Well Said, Dr. Krugman: Maybe They'll Listen This Time
* High Cost of Private Contractors
* Defense Dept. Rewarding Poor Contractor Performance
* Inspector General Blocked Investigations into Waste & Fraud?
* Time to Get Really Serious about Contractor Fraud
* Billions over Baghdad: Poor Accounting Allowed Waste & Fraud
* Yet Another Contractor Bilks Taxpayers
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