- Sputnik International
World
Get the latest news from around the world, live coverage, off-beat stories, features and analysis.

Pentagon Spends $1Bln on Computer Network That Raises Security Concerns

© Flickr / mwicharyПервый персональный компьютер IBM 5150
Первый персональный компьютер IBM 5150 - Sputnik International
Subscribe
The US Department of Defense is spending nearly $1 billion this year to consolidate its computers into a single network without estimating systems final cost, scope or staff needed to operate the network, which raises security concerns, the US General Accountability Office (GAO) said in a new report on Thursday.

Black smoke billowing into sky after an airstrike. - Sputnik International
Pentagon Cannot Confirm Russia Behind Recent Strikes on Syrian Moderates
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — At issue is the Pentagon’s Joint Information Environment (JIE), a multi-year project to consolidate disparate computer systems into a single network that will run everything from weapons on a battlefield to email messages between service members and their families.

"Officials reported that assessing the cost of JIE is complex because of the size and the complexity of the department's infrastructure and JIE's implementation approach," the report said. "However, without information about expected JIE costs, the ability of officials to oversee and make effective resource decisions is limited."

The report also criticized the Department of Defense for its inability thus far to determine the staff and skills needed to operate the new system.

"As a result, DOD [Department of Defense] risks having a deficient security posture and not being able to ensure that it will have the appropriate workforce knowledge and skills needed to support JIE," the report explained.

The report recommended that the Pentagon fully define the single network 's scope and expected cost, and take steps to improve workforce and security planning.

Newsfeed
0
To participate in the discussion
log in or register
loader
Chats
Заголовок открываемого материала