Watchdog Report: Secret Service Failed to Fix Database Security Problems After Chaffetz Leak

The Secret Service hasn't done enough to fix vulnerabilities that allowed agents to leak embarrassing personal information about House Oversight and Government Reform Chairman Jason Chaffetz, according to a scathing watchdog report.

The report by the Homeland Security Office of Inspector General released Friday called the follow-up "unacceptable."

The findings were reported by The Washington Examiner.

"Today's report reveals unacceptable vulnerabilities in Secret Service's systems," Inspector General John Roth said in a statement.

"While Secret Service initiated IT improvements late last year, until those changes are fully made and today's recommendations implemented, the potential for another incident like that involving Chairman Chaffetz' personal information remains."

Forty-one Secret Service employees were disciplined over the media leak of the personal files of the Utah Republican – he had been rejected for a Secret Service job in 2003 – after he criticized the agency's security lapses.

The Department of Homeland Security's inspector general had responded with an investigation into the Secret Service's information technology systems and recommended various changes to protect private information from being accessed by all employees, the Examiner reported.

But the Friday report, titled "USSS Faces Challenges Protecting Sensitive Case Management Systems and Data," the Office of Inspector General charged there are still a "myriad of problems" in the IT system.

"The OIG concluded that Secret Service's IT management was ineffective because Secret Service has historically not given it priority," the report stated. "The Secret Service [Chief Information Officer] lacked authority, inadequate attention was given to updating IT policies, and Secret Service personnel were not given adequate training regarding IT security and privacy."

According to the Examiner, Chaffetz is demanding the agency's employees be required to use Personal Identity Verification cards in order to access networks and systems.

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