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Katherine Archuleta, In the Name of God, Go
The director of the federal Office of Personnel Management will not resign, despite bipartisan calls that she do so:
The escalating calls for Archuleta to be replaced came as the Obama administration disclosed on Thursday that the number of people affected by the federal breach — believed to be the biggest in U.S. history — was far higher than previously reported.
Hackers downloaded Social Security numbers, health histories or other highly sensitive data from OPM’s databases, affecting more than five times the 4.2 million people the government first disclosed this year. Since then, the administration acknowledged a second, related breach of systems housing private data that individuals submit during background investigations to obtain security clearances.
Although the government declined to name the hackers, officials said the same party was responsible for both hacks. Numerous U.S. lawmakers who have been briefed on the federal investigation have pointed the finger at China.
From her June 28 bulletin:
As our investigation into the cyberintrusions and theft of information at OPM continues, I want to reassure our Federal family how seriously I take our responsibility to provide you with timely and accurate information, as well as the resources to protect you from any malicious activity that may come from these events.
Our Federal family?
Over the past week, CSID has been increasing the number of call center employees available to answer your questions. Additionally, they are equipped with the latest list of Frequently Asked Questions to make sure everyone is getting updated and consistent information.
Wait times are also a concern. The good news is that, because CSID has been adding additional call center employees, the wait times are down significantly. A new feature has also been added giving you the option to have the center call you back when it’s your turn. This keeps you from having to wait on hold.
That doesn’t happen to me when I call my family. Happen to you?
Each and every day, as we investigate these attacks and aggressively work on the redesign of our computer network, we are keeping in mind the millions of men and women who have and continue to serve the American people. We honor your contributions and the trust you put in us to keep your information safe. I pledge that we will do everything we can to give you the support you need.
The OPM, reports Wired, had no IT security staff until 2013:
The agency was harshly criticized for its lax security in an inspector general’s report released last November that cited its lack of encryption and the agency’s failure to track its equipment. Investigators found that the OPM failed to maintain an inventory list of all of its servers and databases and didn’t even know all the systems that were connected to its networks. The agency also failed to use multi-factor authentication for workers accessing the systems remotely from home or on the road.
Katherine Archuleta, in the name of God, Go.
Something about Ms. Archuleta’s prose style tells me that reference will be lost on her.
Published in Domestic Policy, Foreign Policy, General
It’s a troubling problem. We have gotten a resignation but there will be nothing more. As noted in an earlier comment this may be one of a handful resignations during this administration. Resignations that bring a new agency head, but never improved performance (to use the VA as an example).
I think we have a dual problem. One is the comfort with which our officials regularly and routinely lie to us. Barak Obama, Bill and Hilary Clinton, John Kerry, etc., will simply say whatever is convenient for the moment and never look back. And also never have their feet held to the fire over their lies.
The second is the immense bloat of our executive branch. It is effectively unmanageable by its executives and beyond the capabilities of Congress to provide effective oversight.
The result is an unresponsive and self-serving bureaucracy that defies accountability. Thirty-five years ago Reagan promised to roll back the bureaucratic state and I am still waiting. I wonder if we get a better result sending some of these people to jail rather than allowing them to resign or retire.
I attribute Archuleta’s resignation to Claire and Ricochet.
What is wrong with you people? Diversity is strength. Strength is diversity. Archuleta is both female and Hispanic – a one person diversity squad. Clearly there can be no one with better credentials to solve this security problem. (Did I mention that she’s Hispanic?)
Now President Obama is free to appoint a worse person to replace her. Does anyone know if this position requires Senate approval? I’d hate for Republicans not to have a chance to ratify the President’s bad judgment; there may still be a few people who weren’t paying attention during past episodes.
Yes, the job requires Senate confirmation. Interestingly enough, Tom Coburn had placed a hold on Archuleta’s nomination but lifted it after OPM promised to contribute to the cost of Obamacare premiums for members of Congress and their staffs.
They should have just kept all of the records at the Clinton’s house. Then no one would get to them . . . not even with a warrant.
Today’s winner!
It’s not so much the “Federal family” comment, the idea of a “family” from a Federal employee. It’s that it’s a Federal family that bothers me. As in “we protect our own”, and citizens are not part of the Federal family.
So, in case it’s not clear, from her perspective it’s us vs. them, meaning the US citizenry, and it’s sure as hell not about her failing to protect her “family”.
Lazy, bloated, and cowardly seem to be the desired attributes on Federal employee job descriptions at the higher levels.
Marci, would you please sell me the rights to this comment? I’d like to bottle it, frame it, and sell it as the magic beans response to everything:
FBI background check snafu allowed Dylan Roof to buy a gun and massacre 9 people in South Carolina?
Lovely young woman killed by illegal-immigrant felon released from prison five times and never deported?
See what I mean? You’re sitting on a goldmine here.
Think of it sort of like a Mafia family if it makes you feel better. That is probably closer to the truth.