Facebook Twitter Email
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2001

Admitting "significant deficiencies" in its protection of individual Indian trust data, the Department of Interior today offered a plan to put new security measures in place to ensure malicious users don't gain access to the accounts of 300,000 American Indians.

But beyond offering to install firewalls and intrusion detective devices on its computer networks by January 31, 2002, the proposal didn't lay out a specific timeline for getting its information technology systems back up and running. The Interior only said it "intends to hire a qualified independent contractor to perform a system-by-system evaluation" of how it would ensure trust data is safe.

Secretary of Interior Gale Norton has already hired Predictive Systems Inc., the same firm who broke into the Individual Indian Money (IIM) system with permission from a federal court, to help her with network permeter and intrusion software issues. The document submitted to U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth today does not identify if Predictive would be involved in the systems analysis.

Nevertheless, the Interior has identified a number of areas in which heightened security measures would be in place. In response to Predictive's findings of weak, blank or no password protection on various machines and systems, the Interior says it has shut down all user accounts.

The Interior says it reactivate only those users authorized for a particular system. The department also says it would require strict password compliance.

With Bureau of Indian Affairs agencies and offices nationwide at a standstill due to the a shutdown that has extended through various agencies of the Interior, attorneys representing the Indian beneficiaries said Norton's offer was a "good first draft."

"It's clear they put some thought into it," said Dennis Gingold. "I'd say it's a 60 percent chance we can get this resolved over the weekend."

If all the issues are worked out, Lamberth might agree to a consent order that would lift the Internet shutdown he decreed on Wednesay night. In response to that action, Assistant Secretary Neal McCaleb directed a massive network disconnect.

Today on Indianz.Com:
DOI Shutdown: 'We're Hurting Tribes' (12/7)
From the top, a gamble in trust (12/7)

Relevant Links:
Indian Trust, Department of Interior - http://indiantrust.doi.gov
Office of the Special Trustee - http://www.ost.doi.gov
Trust Management Improvement Project - http://www.doi.gov/bia/trust/tmip.htm
Indian Trust: Cobell v. Norton - http://www.indiantrust.com

Related Stories:
Judge orders Interior to cut Internet access (12/6)
Norton delaying trust fund report (12/6)
Security contempt charge added (12/6)
Norton cleared for tribal consultation (12/6)
Judge holding hearing today (12/6)
Transcript of Dec. 5 trust fund hearing (12/6)
Interior doesn't understand court order (12/6)
Judge cuts trust fund access(12/5)
Report reveals attacks on tribal, Indian trust (12/5)
No Trust: Hacking the Department of Interior (12/5)
House to hold hearings on BIA overhaul (12/5)
McCaleb doubts tribal opposition (12/4)
Interior extends comment period (12/4)
Trust fund report still can't be found (12/4)
Tribal leaders worried about consultation (12/4)
Judge holding secret hearings (12/4)
New: Security report released (12/4)
GOP push may be tied to Indian preference (12/4)
Indian leader happy for contempt trial (12/4)
Norton set for 'worst nightmare' (12/3)
Judge holding secret trust fund hearing(12/3)
McCaleb to discuss trust fund on radio (12/3)
Okla. leaders question Norton's plan (12/3)
Tribal leaders clamor for trust report (12/3)
Editorial: Hold Norton in contempt (12/3)
Judicial role in Norton's fate recognized (11/30)
Interior slammed on trust fund progress (11/30)
New NCAI president vows BIA fight (11/30)
Interior will send 'someone' to hearing (11/30)
Interior says tribal leaders can have report (11/30)
Norton ordered to trial for 'fraud' (11/29)
Tribal leaders reject BIA overhaul (11/29)
Indian Country deserves answers (11/29)
McCaleb suffers leg injury (11/29)
Report: Interior can't be trusted (11/29)
Norton to attend consultation session (11/29)
Big showing expected at Norton meeting (11/29)
Griles: Receiver ends sovereign relationship (11/29)
Swimmer: No clue on historical funds (11/29)
Contempt trial important somewhere (11/29)
Developing: Norton, McCaleb ordered to contempt trial (11/28)
Norton sees GOP support on overhaul (11/28)
Trust fund settlement talks fail (11/28)
NCAI shoring up Norton opposition (11/28)
Tribal leaders challenging Norton (11/28)
Norton wants to cut Interior jobs (11/28)
Norton failing on trust fund backup (11/27)
Interior schedules first consultation (11/27)
Interior cutting off tribal comments (11/27)
BIA collecting Indian preference info (11/27)
Norton's BIA overhaul blasted (11/26)
Interior changes mind on consultation (11/26)
Indian Country opposition gains momentum(11/26)
Norton faces big week on trust (11/26)
Editorial: Give Norton plan a chance (11/26)
Norton's attorney decries unfairness (11/26)
Norton's choice raises questions (11/26)
Judge holds secret hearing (11/23)
Indian Country slams 'sham' consultation (11/21)
Top trust fund official questioned (11/21)
No Thanksgiving for Indian Country (11/21)
Domenici praises Norton's 'bold move' (11/21)
BIA reorganization a focus of NCAI (11/21)
Reagan's Indian chief is back (11/20)
McCaleb faces Indian preference question (11/20)
Norton defends overhaul of BIA (11/20)
Norton promises fast start (11/20)
Developing: Swimmer tapped by Bush administration (11/19)
Few answers on BIA overhaul (11/19)
Norton challenges trust fund receiver (11/19)
Gover: Indian Country had it coming (11/19)
BIA reorganization focus of radio show (11/19)
Norton defends quarterly reports (11/19)
Norton's 'runaway train' denounced (11/17)
Norton stripping BIA of trust duties (11/16)
Tribal leaders in uproar over proposal (11/16)
Top Democrat calls for hearings (11/16)
Bush officials to speak at NCAI (11/16)
Norton files contempt defense (11/16)
Q&A on BIA Reorganization (11/16)
Developing: BIA stripped of trust duties (11/15)
Interior might need year on new agency (11/15)
Gover: Indian Country now 'weaker' (11/15)