The Defense Department's ban on thumb drives will not be lifted anytime soon, NextGov.com reports in a recent article. The reason is simple, according to Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He said the ban was put in place because troops violated policies regarding their use.

But the Defense Department's position brings up the question about whether other federal agencies should be imposing the same restrictions to prevent information from seeping out of government computers. Some agencies have policies preventing the use of thumb drives, but it is not a government-wide policy. The device certainly serves as an important tool as systems are upgraded, personnel change computer stations and the need for immediate access to information persists.

The fate of this small device is likely to be one of many issues that President Obama's cybersecurity advisers are reviewing as they look to tighten down the hatches in cyberspace. And we certainly will be watching to see if the policy is made stronger and whether government employees will be held accountable if they violate protocol. - Judi