Safeguarding Federal Automated Information Systems—A Critical Step in Homeland Security
Dennis E. Black · 2003
This article provides a discussion for acquisition officials to ensure information accessed by contractor employees in federal automated information systems (AISs) is safeguarded as required by the Computer Security Act of 1987 and other federal laws. 1 As our nation takes great measures to protect our homeland security, our efforts to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information in federal automated information systems take on increased importance. To assist federal acquisition personnel and contractors, this article includes a checklist of appropriate information technology (IT) security measures that should be taken throughout the acqui- sition process. Note that the IT security measures discussed here- in apply to both federal employees and contractors who have access to information in federal AISs. Steps in the process relative to federal employees are within the purview of an agency's human resources (HR) function and are outside the scope of this article.