Agencies' WikiLeaks Assessment Deadline Set

OMB Gives Agencies Till Jan. 28 to File Reports Eric Chabrow (GovInfoSecurity) • January 5, 2011

Federal departments and agencies that handle classified information have until Jan. 28 to complete an assessment on how they handle confidential information, a process prompted by the WikiLeaks episode that exposed 250,000-plus diplomatic cables in November.

Office of Management and Budget Director Jacob Lew on Nov. 29 directed agencies handling classified information to establish security assessment teams consisting of counterintelligence, security and information assurance experts to review their respective agency's implementation of procedures for safeguarding classified information against improper disclosures.

The latest memo that sets the deadline also includes instructions on what the assessment teams must consider, including:

Evaluating perceived vulnerabilities, weaknesses or gaps on automated systems in the post-WikiLeaks environment.

Formulating plans to resolve those weaknesses or gaps or to shift or acquire resources to address those challenges.

Detailing plans for changes to, or creation of new, classified networks, systems, applications, databases, websites and online collaboration environments in terms of the completeness and projected effectiveness of all types of security controls called for by applicable law and guidance.

Assessing security, counterintelligence and information assurance policy and regulatory documents that have been established by and for your department or agency.

Lew said William Bosanko, director of information security office, and Robert Bryant, national counterintelligence executive within the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, will provide assistance to agency assessment teams and conduct periodic onsite reviews of agencies' compliance.