U S Government Accountability Office

Information Security U S Government Accountability Office

" The Census Bureau is responsible for collecting and providing data about the people and economy of the United States. The bureau has long used some form of automation to tabulate the data it collects. Critical to the bureau's ability to perform these duties are its information systems and the protection of the information they contain. A data breach could result in the public's loss of confidence in the bureau's and could affect its ability to collect census data. Because of the importance of protecting information and systems at the bureau, GAO was asked to determine whether the agency has effectively implemented appropriate information security controls to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the information and systems that support its mission. To do this, GAO tested security controls over the bureau's key networks and systems; reviewed policies, plans, and reports; and interviewed officials at bureau headquarters and field offices. "