Homeland Security software eyed for problems

Department of Homeland Security officials acknowledge that using Windows software for all the department's personal computers may pose a security problem, but they are having "very serious and candid conversations" with Microsoft about the issue. The agency has offered to help test the company's products before they are released. Microsoft executives, saying they need to do better, are embarking on a new security program for current and future software releases, and welcomed the offer of assistance.

Rep. Adam H. Putnam, Florida Republican and chairman of the House Government Reform technology subcommittee, asked agency officials at a hearing last week about what he called the government's software "monoculture," pointing out that "90 percent of the federal government [uses] a single operating system" — Microsoft Windows.

Tuesday, 21 October 2003 08:37 EST

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