FederalDaily - May 30, 2007

Sensenbrenner, GAO Question FBI Network Security

The FBI has failed to close potential flaws in its network security, despite having installed an entirely new telecommunications system in 2004, said a new Government Accountability Office (GAO) report. GAO looked at information security controls for one of the FBI’s critical networks and auditors conducted a vulnerability assessment. GAO found security weaknesses across the range of network operations, particularly in the area of controlling unauthorized access. The access problems were particularly troubling in light of the activities of Robert Hanssen, the FBI agent who used his insider access to obtain and sell secrets to Russia and the former Soviet Union prior to his arrest in 2001, said Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner, R-Wis. “This report illustrates that the FBI underestimates the insider risk,” said Sensenbrenner on May 24. “This baffles me, given the incredible damage former FBI agent Robert Hanssen inflicted on the FBI’s worldwide intelligence network.” The GAO made a series of recommendations, most of which remain classified. The FBI’s chief information officer, responding to the report, said the network weaknesses did not constitute an unacceptable risk. To see more, go to:  http://sensenbrenner.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=66071.

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Former Postal Worker Union Local President Indicted For Embezzlement

The former president of a postal union local in California was indicted May 24 on embezzlement charges, Department of Justice (DOJ) officials said. Graham P. Vane, 49, of Pacifica, Calif., was charged with taking the money from National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 1280, from January 2002 through March 2006, while he served as local president, officials said. The government said Vane used a union-issued credit card and 10 additional personal credit cards to make over $170,000 worth of personal expenditures—such as travel for family members; massages; jewelry and wine—and then allegedly paid for those expenses by issuing checks on the union’s checking account. Vane also is charged with making false statements to the Department of Labor on the union’s annual Form LM-3 reports. If convicted, Vane faces a possible sentence of 10 years in prison, plus fines and restitution, officials said. To see more, go to: www.usdoj.gov/usao/can/press/2007/2007_05_24_vane.indicted.press.html.

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SSA Expedites Military, Survivors Disability Applications

The Social Security Administration (SSA) reminded active duty military personnel and their families that SSA has procedures to expedite survivors’ applications and disability claims for injured servicemembers—regardless of where the injury occurred. SSA Commissioner Michael Astrue on May 25 noted that there is an SSA-dedicated claims-taking unit that processes a servicemember/survivor application immediately at the time of contact. Applications received in a local Social Security office also are expedited and given priority handling, Astrue said. For Social Security disability applications, the agency’s goal is to schedule an appointment within three working days of the initial telephone call, Astrue said, or to have the local office call the servicemember within two days to start the disability process.  Disability claims filed online at www.socialsecurity.gov also are expedited Astrue said. The expedited process is invoked regardless of where the disability occurred, whether in the United States, Iraq, Afghanistan or on other foreign soil during active duty. To see more, go to: www.ssa.gov/pressoffice/pr/memorial-day2007-pr.htm.

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