Lack of embassy e-mail laughable

[InfoSec News <isn () C4I ORG>]

http://www.fcw.com/fcw/articles/2000/0717/web-mica-07-20-00.asp


[Here we go folks, No sooner will the State Department come out of the
dark ages and have Internet access and e-mail at all the U.S. Embassy
posts, but we will be either seeing reports from the GAO on the
insecurity of embassy Internet services or that the platform of choice
will be Windows NT and the State Department will be clamoring over the
need to spend big money for qualified security personal to secure it
from outside (and inside!) forces. -WK]


BY Bryant Jordan
07/20/2000

What would it take to bring American embassies overseas into the
Internet Age?

Peanuts, according to one congressman.

Thats how Rep. John Mica (R-Fla.) characterized the estimated $200
million price for equipping all State Department embassies with
Internet access and e-mail.

Micas comments came during a meeting Wednesday of a House Government
Reform Committee subcommittee looking at State security issues.

Mica pointed out that embassies are not able to communicate with each
other because they lack information technology resources. Some do not
even have e-mail capability within their own facilities, he said.

"I am absolutely appalled. Its almost laughable," Mica said. He argued
that risks to American interests were too great not to wire the
overseas missions.

Rep. Christopher Shays (D-Conn.) spoke of one embassy where staff
members took turns using a single computer.

State Department officials explained that resources are stretched
because State also supports so-called tenant agencies at embassies,
according to testimony provided by David Carpenter, assistant
secretary for diplomatic security, and Jacquelyn Williams-Bridgers,
States inspector general. Tenants are officials from other federal
agencies who promote U.S. government or commercial interests in the
host country.

One problem has been that tenants have disagreed over what platform to
use, according to Carpenter, who also is director of the Office of
Foreign Missions.

Mica said he found that frustrating. "It appears the inmates are
running the asylum," he said.

Recently, State announced that it would use its facilities in Mexico
City and New Delhi, India, as test sites for a program to put all U.S.
diplomatic missions worldwide in touch with one another and with all
other federal agencies that have an overseas presence.

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