The Pentagon's background check security system is not even close to compliant. They think maybe $100 million will cover it. So, if jobs that require security clearance aren't accomplished (or worse -- performed by people with contrary purpose), what kind of defense system do we really have?

How do you suppose this one will get spun?

http://washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/WPcap/1999-11/30/005r-113099-idx.html

-- TA (sea_spur@yahoo.com), November 30, 1999

Answers

Well, since the system doesn't work today, and apparently hasn't worked since it was installed in Oct '98, my guess is the least of their worries is whether or not it is "compliant".

-- Hoffmeister (hoff_meister@my-deja.com), November 30, 1999.

The system is "working", even though it is working very poorly, and they apparently have no alternative. Soon, it won't work at all. Having been in the military, and having a security clearance myself, it is alarming that this situation exists. It used to take 6 weeks. Then 90 days. Now 204 days. In about 32 days, it won't work at all. Of course, this is just one more alarm bell regarding the overall condition of our military.

-- TA (sea_spur@yahoo.com), November 30, 1999.

I'm afraid you are totally wrong about this TA. No matter what you may have read,you must have mis-understood...How can I be so sure of myself? Kosky and other high Gov. officials have told me patiently over and over and over that no real problems will happen.And if they do they can be fixed in a matter of hours.Why can't you be like the majority of Americans and BELIEVE THEM???

-- citizen (lost@sea.com), November 30, 1999.

Don't know there, TA.

The GAO report is available here.

Pretty long, but here's an exerpt regarding the system:

DSS officials stated that, for the most part, DSS has not been able to use CCMS to process investigations as intended. As a temporary solution to the start-up problems, DSS has recruited investigators, reserve military personnel, and Office of Personnel Management employees to open and scope investigations manually, and it has attempted to make emergency repairs to the system. The acting DSS Director has placed a high priority on correcting the problems with CCMS. He has established a project office to provide a short-term capability that will allow DSS to process investigations, and he is working on long-term alternatives for a permanent solution. The acting Director expects to study the long-term options in 2000.

Sounds to me like they aren't using the system, and processing manually.

-- Hoffmeister (hoff_meister@my-deja.com), November 30, 1999.

TA,

<<>>

You have clearance and you are posting here?????

Back to the Q: Dosen't this support thier (gov's) theory of terorist attacks?

-- Rainbow (Rainbow@123easy.net), November 30, 1999.

This little problem is causing a another problem. The gov Y2K control centers are having a little staffing shortage as a result.

-- MoVe Immediate (MVI@yepimhere.com), November 30, 1999.