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Lamberth orders DOI to turn over IT reports
Friday, December 12, 2003

The federal judge handling the Indian trust fund lawsuit ordered the Department of Interior on Thursday to turn over two reports that were used in the Congressional Computer Security Report Card.

Interior was given an 'F' for its computer security progress by lawmakers on the House Committee on Government Reform. Attorneys for Secretary Gale Norton informed Lamberth of the rating on Wednesday.

But they did not turn over two internal reports that were used by the House subcommittee to hand out the grades. They said the reports "contain sensitive security information" and "contain the Department of Interior's detailed assessment of its information technology security status."

Lamberth did not dispute that characterization. But he ordered Interior to turn over the reports anyway. One set will be filed publicly -- with sensitive information blacked out -- while the full reports will be filed under seal, he wrote yesterday.

Interior's grade of 'F' and its score of 43 were among the worst in all of federal government. The department has failed the report card since 2000.

Get the Report Card:
2003 Federal Computer Security Report Card (December 9, 2003)

From the Indianz.Com Archive:
Report reveals attacks on tribal, Indian trust (12/5)
No Trust: Hacking the Department of Interior (12/5)
DOI Shutdown: 'We're Hurting Tribes' (12/7)
From the top, a gamble in trust (12/7)

Relevant Links:
Indian Trust: Cobell v. Norton - http://www.indiantrust.com
Cobell v. Norton, Department of Justice - http://www.usdoj.gov/civil/cases/cobell/index.htm
Indian Trust, Department of Interior - http://www.doi.gov/indiantrust

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Norton says DOI computer systems not secure (09/18)
Judge seeks to break impasse over trust systems (07/29)
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DOI e-mail server was temporarily disconnected (04/25)
DOI concealed TAAMS problems from court (4/22)
BIA incident prompts high-level recommendation (03/27)
Senior trust reform official leaves Interior (03/10)
New Bush budget aims to improve trust fund (02/04)
Court report blasts McCaleb for destroying records (01/27)
Court: McCaleb 'fabricated' e-mail story (1/24)
Martin read about deposition online (12/23)
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Martin's role in incident surfaces (12/16)
McCaleb latest in long line of DOI departures (11/25)
Key trust reform player leaving BIA (02/28)
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