GAO warns of social media risks
Agencies are using Facebook and Twitter to get their message out, but their policies are not keeping up with their use, according to a
report that the Government Accountability Office released July 28.
Agencies have not dealt with challenges that social media brings to managing and identifying records, protecting personal information, and ensuring the security of federal information and system, the report stated.
The 23 major agencies that GAO examined have made mixed progress in setting policies.
Twelve of the agencies have issued guidance outlining how to manage records by their use of social media, as well as recordkeeping duties.
Twelve of them updated privacy policies, and eight assessed risks to privacy and the likelihood of personal information going out unintentionally to the public through the new media.
Seven agencies have documented security risks, such as the potential for a hacker to launch attacks against the federal information system, and ways to alleviate controls associated with social media.
GAO recommended that agencies need to consider protecting themselves to avoid hacking and also keeping good records.
Although policies may not be needed in all cases, “social media technologies present unique challenges and risks,” GAO reported. Listen to a podcast from GAO.
About the Author
Matthew Weigelt is a senior writer covering acquisition and procurement for Federal Computer Week. Follow him on Twitter: @matthewweigelt.