IG: Tighten cybersecurity to protect nuclear weapons

The Department of Energy, responsible for the nation's nuclear weapons and nuclear energy, may be jeopardizing their security if it does not improve its cybersecurity protections, according to a new inspector general report.

The report comes at a time when the Obama administration is taking a tougher look at cybersecurity issues. But the situation at the Energy Department already has reached critical mass, according to the IG. Delays by the DoE's Office of Science in enhancing cyber security and standardizing its computer protocols may leave sensitive information exposed and cost taxpayers millions of dollars.

"Any system that is not as secure as it should be could be subject to compromise," said Rickey Hass, Deputy Inspector General for Audit Services. "There are literally thousands of people who scan systems to try to gain access."

The Office of Science has seven field offices that don't have strict enough security configurations on their information systems, the IG report said.

But the DOE problems, like those at other federal agencies, cannot wait. The federal government must come up with a method soon to protect this sensitive data as the threats are increasing.

For more on DoE's security flaws:
- see this abc News article

Related Articles:
IG: Energy's classified info network makes a big mistake
DOE wastes power on IT