February 2020, ICE enforcement operation targeting fugitive aliens (DHS photo). ICE has not consistently managed or removed access to systems after personnel changes, a report said. Image: DHS, ICE
By: FEDweek StaffIn the latest report on an issue that previously arose in several agencies, the DHS inspector general’s office has called for stronger protections for agency IT systems when Immigration and Customs Enforcement employees who leave that agency.
“We determined that ICE did not consistently manage or remove access when personnel separated or changed positions. For example, 84 percent of the accounts for separated personnel we examined remained active beyond the individual’s last workday” and 16 percent remained active at least 45 days longer, the report said. That “exposed ICE’s network and IT systems to risks of compromise by potential attackers.”
“Based on our testing, ICE did not implement all security settings for its IT systems and workstations because it was concerned that these settings negatively impacted system operations. In addition, according to officials, ICE accepted the risk of not implementing the required settings but did not provide any supporting evidence,” it said.
It said management agreed with recommendations to address that issue along with issues related to updating workstations to address known vulnerabilities, implementing required security settings, and more.
The IG offices of agencies including the IRS, Energy and State have issued reports in recent years also recommending stronger security controls when employees leave those agencies.
he week of February 4-11, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) launched a series of targeted enforcement operations across the country. These operations targeted public safety threats, such as convicted criminal aliens and gang members, as well as individuals who have violated our nation’s immigration laws, including those who illegally re-entered the country after being removed and immigration fugitives ordered removed by federal immigration judges.
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