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CLARKE RELEASES STATEMENT ON GOVERNMENT WATCHDOG REPORT ON VULNERABILITY OF FEDERAL SYSTEMS TO CYBERATTACKS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

February 1, 2022

MEDIA CONTACT: 

e: brian.phillips@mail.house.gov

c: 202.913.0126

Washington, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09), Senior Member of the Committee on Homeland Security and the Committee on Energy and Commerce, issued the following statement regarding the release of a report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) detailing how federal systems are vulnerable to cyberattacks.

In its report, Cybersecurity High-Risk Series: Challenges in Securing Federal Systems and Information (GAO-23-106428), GAO found that while nearly 79 percent of the agency’s public recommendations since 2010 have been implemented, “federal agencies will still be more limited in their ability to protect private and sensitive data entrusted to them” until there are more critical actions to address cybersecurity challenges.

GAO also recommended:

  • Improving implementation of government-wide cybersecurity initiatives.
  • Addressing weaknesses in federal agency information security programs.
  • Enhancing the federal response to cyber incidents to better protect federal systems and information.

“As America’s adversaries continue to exploit cyber vulnerabilities to hack into U.S. networks, it is critical that its federal agencies continue adopting the GAO’s recommendations vital to raising our nation’s baseline cyber posture. The persistent cyber threats facing federal agencies demands that we be able to dynamically grow and evolve the programs aimed at defending and building resilience of federal networks. I trust the dedicated public servants behind our federal agencies will heed this vital call for action. For my part, as a Member of the Homeland Security Committee, I will do everything in my power to ensure that the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) expeditiously implements its reorganization plans so that it is well-positioned to lead federal network security efforts and that FISMA reporting provides a more accurate assessment of agency cybersecurity programs,” said Congresswoman Clarke.

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