Posted on 02/26/2010 6:57:29 AM PST by C19fan
A classified review of the United States Secret Service's computer technology found that the agency's computers were fully operational only 60 percent of the time because of outdated systems and a reliance on a computer mainframe that dates to the 1980s, according to Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn.
(Excerpt) Read more at abcnews.go.com ...
No money in the budget? Jeez.
Obviously, Secret Service agents don’t have time to find the enemies within.
If you wanted to stimulate the economy, and really felt compelled to spend $1T and really thought that putting people on the government payroll was desirable -- there really are useful things that could be done. Upgrade computer systems, build the Wall on our southern border, etc.
Or you could spend $1T buying votes.
Odds are that your bank is also using a 1980’s mainframe. There are millions of them still in use, and absolutely nothing wrong with them. It would simply cost too much to migrate all of that data with little benefit.
They’re using an old IBM 370 or Amdahl V7/V8? That’s some seriously aged iron.
This means they are receiving daily guidance (and lengthy, multi-page error messages) from CPF, if it’s an old IBM frame.
Then bring back Able Danger. Fix it right away.
There are plenty of mainframes still in use but most have been updated or upgraded to newer models, at least newer than the 80s. Fine for Commerce or Education to run on these types of systems but not a security or defense operation. Hanging on to legacy systems can be problematic and for the Secret Service not to be at least reasonably up to date is not good for security.
“Sources tell ABC News that the Secret Service was so plagued by computer problems that the agency invited the National Security Agency to formally review its information technology systems. The Secret Service’s databases are outdated and users are at times unable to conduct searches from one system to another....”
“...Asked about the review and the NSA review of Secret Service systems, service spokesman Malcolm Wiley said, “At our request, NSA performed an independent evaluation of our existing IT network to determine if any deficiencies or potential vulnerabilities existed. ...Results of the review suggested we needed enhancements to ensure that our systems remained sound. A number of the recommended changes have already been implemented.
“According to officials at the time of the review, the unofficial cost estimate to update the system was $187 million. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees the Secret Service, has so far allocated $69 million, including $36 million in the department’s most recent budget request.”
PDP-11?.................
We were pretty impressed when we went from our System 34 and System 36’s to a system 38.
dont forget to whizzywig to print.........LOL
Do it an put some computer geeks to work. It would be better than wasting a bunch of money on a “jobs bill.”
I can see why they work only 60% of the time, a 1980’s mainframe would probably have trouble not only keeping up with the amount of data that can be sent easily now, but I question the ability to communicate with more current systems.
No computer expert, but honestly, they have no money to upgrade?
I remember a number of stories of our government spending ten times as much as necessary to upgrade their systems. By the time they got close to finishing, no one was happy with what they had and it was seriously out of date if they ever got the new system up and running at all.
IRS computers might be what I am thinking about.
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