EPA grants boost info sharing

I had an opportunity to work on the update to Defense Department Manual 5200.28 (Security Requirements for Automated Information Systems) during 1988-89. It is now 2002, and the same problems dealing with what information each government agency, military service and/or civilian agency receives and provides have not been resolved.

New classification guides relative to today's issues remain a sticky point, especially when a lot of systems that process classified information do not meet the established standards.

Certification and accreditation of these systems for the Homeland Security Department hopefully will be accomplished with requests for proposals that depict definable objectives and requirements. These system requirements must be tested to ascertain whether they meet the objectives stated.

Unfortunately, I believe that government agencies and military departments will continue their historical individualistic approach rather than a synergistic effort.

Don Robinson Compusec