A federal "trusted Internet connection" initiative is helping to reduce the number of external government Internet connections from over 4,300 in January, to 2,758 in May, according to OMB.
OMB memorandum M-08-05, "Implementation of Trusted Internet Connections," states the purpose of the initiative as being to optimize and standardize individual external network connections, including connections to the Internet currently used by the federal government," and bring them to fewer than 100.
"Agencies have provided resources to assist the successful implementation of the TIC initiative and made information systems security a priority in their strategic plans," said Karen Evans, OMB’s e-gov and IT administrator.
"Fewer external connections, means fewer vulnerabilities and better secured networks," she added.