Unisys, a major government IT contractor, reportedly is being investigated for allegedly failing to detect cyberattacks, and then covering up its failings.Two congressmen have called for an investigation into cyberattacks aimed at the Department of Homeland Security, along with a contractor charged with securing those networks.Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Bennie G. Thompson, D-Miss., and Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity, and Science and Technology Chairman James R. Langevin, D-R.I., sent a letter last Friday to Richard L. Skinner, inspector general of the Department of Homeland Security. In the letter they say the House Committee on Homeland Security’s investigations led them to believe the department is under attack by foreign powers, and could be at risk because of “incompetent and possibly illegal activity” by a U.S. contractor.
http://informationweek.com/news/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=202101028Also see:
Contractor Blamed in DHS Data Breaches
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, according to congressional investigators.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/23/AR2007092301471.html
US Homeland Security Cyber Attacks Probed [AP]
A top homeland security lawmaker has called for an investigation into possible cyber attacks on computer systems at the Homeland Security Department. Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., said he believes Unisys Corp – the company that holds the $1.7 billion contract to build parts of the Homeland Security Department’s computer network – is at fault for these network break-ins. Thompson chairs the House Homeland Security committee and asked the department’s inspector general to investigate.
http://www.thestate.com/technology-wire/story/182222.html
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/C/CYBER_ATTACKS?SITE=FLTAM&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2007-09-24-13-04-20