United States Government Publishing Office publisher pbl distributor dst United States Government Accountability Office author aut Government Organization text government publication eng GAOREPORTS Legislative Agency Publications gao legislative 2010-08-12 U.S. Government Printing Office 2005-05-17 monographic deposited born digital 31 p. GA 1.13:GAO-05-383 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-GAO-05-383 P0b002ee1803885b6 f:d05383 DGPO 2010-08-12 2011-03-28 GAOREPORTS-GAO-05-383 machine generated eng fdlp REPORT GAOREPORTS-GAO-05-383 GAO-05-383 Computer networks Computer security Information security Information technology Internal controls Regulatory agencies Strategic planning Computer network protocols Computer security policies Policies and procedures Security standards Other Written Product A24237

The use of wireless networks is becoming increasingly popular. Wireless networks extend the range of traditional wired networks by using radio waves to transmit data to wireless-enabled devices such as laptops. They can offer federal agencies many potential benefits but they are difficult to secure. GAO was asked to study the security of wireless networks operating within federal facilities. This report (1) describes the benefits and challenges associated with securing wireless networks, (2) identifies the controls available to assist federal agencies in securing wireless networks, (3) analyzes the wireless security controls reported by each of the 24 agencies under the Chief Financial Officers (CFO) Act of 1990, and (4) assesses the security of wireless networks at the headquarters of six federal agencies in Washington, D.C. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-GAO-05-383/html/GAOREPORTS-GAO-05-383.htm https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-GAO-05-383/pdf/GAOREPORTS-GAO-05-383.pdf GAO-05-383 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-GAO-05-383 Other Written Product GAO-05-383; Information Security: Federal Agencies Need to Improve Controls over Wireless Networks; Computer networks Computer security Information security Information technology Internal controls Regulatory agencies Strategic planning Computer network protocols Computer security policies Policies and procedures Security standards Title 131 Section 901(b) 131 U.S.C. 901(b)