Posted on 09/27/2005 4:18:07 PM PDT by Hal1950
FAA defends 'very secure systems'
WASHINGTON - High-tech networks that link key parts of the U.S. air traffic control system lack important controls and are potentially vulnerable to hackers and others familiar with how those computer programs work, congressional investigators concluded Monday.
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) said in an update to a 2000 report that the Federal Aviation Administration has made progress in protecting information technology systems and noted the agency's contention that its interconnected networks are secure.
Greg Martin, an FAA spokesman, said separately the investigation was too narrowly focused and the agency has adequate controls in place nationwide.
"They are very secure systems," Martin said. "There is a lot that the (report) failed to take into account."
Martin said any vulnerabilities are countered by several redundancies and other controls built throughout the information-technology architecture.
But the GAO, the investigative arm of Congress, nevertheless disclosed a series of gaps that include outdated security plans, inadequate awareness training, and questions about whether the FAA could detect intruders and keep the system up during a security breach.
"The agency has not adequately managed its networks, software updates, user accounts and passwords and user privileges," the GAO found.
Other information security controls — including physical security and background investigations — also have shortcomings that are not mitigated by special operating systems and custom software.
(Excerpt) Read more at msnbc.msn.com ...
Yes, it's called the Ada Lovelace virus!
Well, let's just tell everybody about it so the amount of wannabee hackers increases tenfold.
Ada Lovelace? I love old school porn!
Your thinking of Linda Lovelace, Ada Lovelace was Lord Byron's wife (Lord Byron hears of rumours, hires PI to follow his wife.)!
Privatize.
Seriously. If this is not an article that is relevant to this "don't help the enemy" FR directive, then why even bother reminding us every time we post?
The decrepitude of the US ATC system has been in the open press for decades.
This kind of article may well light a fire under those whose reponsibility it is to update and secure those systems.
"Well, let's just tell everybody about it so the amount of wannabee hackers increases tenfold."
I can just see a bunch of snotty nosed teenagers running to their computers for a chance to make planes go where they want. Loose lips sink us all!
This is Reuters. Any way to unring THAT bell?
It sounds to me like it would take a break-in. No way any of this is tied to the public internet.
That was actually my point! I didn't understand why FR still bothered with that little "Loose lips" disclaimer....
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