In the early weeks of the pandemic HUD's systems became more vulnerable due to significant delays in processing computer security updates, says report. Image: CC Photo Labs/Shutterstock.com
By: FEDweek StaffIn a report whose findings could apply to many other agencies as well, the inspector general at HUD had found that the ramp-up of telework there due to the pandemic overtaxed the agency’s systems, causing employee frustrations and leaving security vulnerabilities.
“HUD’s virtual private network (VPN) bandwidth was not sufficient to accommodate the significant increase in users’ simultaneously needing remote access and because there were limitations in the technical environment and weaknesses in the help desk system’s controls,” it said.
One result was that “users encountered months of network performance issues” including difficulty in maintaining an active VPN connection for more than a few minutes at a time; delays in sending emails; an inability to access systems or slowness when gaining access, and routine tasks’ taking a longer than normal time to perform. However, the exact extent is not known because the help desk system “did not capture complete data.”
Further, HUD became more “vulnerable to cyber-attacks and unauthorized access” for reasons including “significant delays in processing computer security updates”—more than two-thirds of users’ laptop and desktop computers operated without three needed security patches for more than 200 days. Also, “the user password expiration policy was not enforced” due to the extra load that would have put on an already burdened system.
While the department now has largely moved beyond those issues, it said, “understanding the challenges it faced is key to managing a flexible workforce and preparing for future emergencies.”
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