Encryption not a snap for feds

[Josh]

Despite a string of data breaches, only about 30% of the laptops and mobile devices used at 24 federal agencies had encryption tools as of last September, according to a report issued last week by the Government Accountability Office. And, the GAO said, tests at six agencies found various implementation shortcomings, including configuration errors, a lack of training and insufficient monitoring of the encryption tools in use.

The White House Office of Management and Budget recommended in 2006 that agencies encrypt all sensitive data stored on mobile systems. It then required them to do so in May of last year.

But the GAO said some agencies were still unsure of the mandate's "applicability." None, it added, had created "comprehensive plans" to guide their rollouts.

Source: [url=\"http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=323347&source=rss_news10\"]Grant Gross[/url]