U.S. Secret Service computers function only 60% of the time; Agency relies on 1980s IBM mainframe

“A classified review of the United States Secret Service’s computer technology found that the agency’s computers were fully operational only 60 percent of the time because of outdated systems and a reliance on a computer mainframe that dates to the 1980s, according to Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn,” Jason Ryan reports for ABC News. “‘We have here a premiere law enforcement organization in our country which is responsible for the security of the president and the vice president and other officials of our government, and they have to have better IT than they have,’ said Lieberman, who is chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee.”

“Sources tell ABC News that the Secret Service was so plagued by computer problems that the agency invited the National Security Agency to formally review its information technology systems. The Secret Service’s databases are outdated and users are at times unable to conduct searches from one system to another,” Ryan reports. “Lieberman says he’s had ‘concern for a while’ about the Secret Service computers. A 60 percent, fully operational average is far worse than ‘industry and government standards that are around 98 percent generally,’ Lieberman said.”

“According to officials at the time of the review, the unofficial cost estimate to update the system was $187 million. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees the Secret Service, has so far allocated $69 million, including $36 million in the department’s most recent budget request,” Ryan reports. “The DHS budget justification for 2011 noted, ‘The Secret Service data environment is fragile and cannot sustain the tempo of current or future operational missions. The existing hardware infrastructure is more than 5 years old and is prone to failures.'”

Ryan reports, “The recent scrutiny the agency faced after three individuals were able to attend a state dinner without being invited, were not attributable to any computer deficiencies at the Secret Service, according to officials.”

Ryan reports, “A Secret Service contracting memo from Oct. 16, 2009, reviewed by ABC News found, ‘Currently, 42 mission-oriented applications run on a 1980s IBM mainframe with a 68 percent performance reliability rating. Networks, data systems, applications, and IT security do not meet current operational requirements. The IT systems lack appropriate bandwidth to run multiple applications to effectively support USSS offices and operational missions around the world.’ …Asked why DHS was requesting less money than the initial estimate of $187 million, DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano said, ‘Part of it is an assessment of how much it would actually cost and also what can be purchased and what is needed on a priority basis.'”

Full article here.

MacDailyNews Take: $187 million, or even just $69 million, will buy you quite a few Xserves, Mac Pros, and MacBook Pros. Hint, hint…