Defence Department security bungle

THOUSANDS of high-level security assessments in the Defence Department were compromised by incorrect data that was used by ASIO to issue official clearances.

Many of the compromised clearances remain in place as Defence and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation wade through thousands of reports to remove incorrect data.

So far, about 3100 high-level clearances have been validated from around 5300 applications made before whistleblowers lifted the lid on poor work practices.

The Inspector General of Intelligence and Security, Dr Vivienne Thom, slams Defence management, and particularly the Defence Security Authority, for the huge breach, and she makes 13 recommendations to fix the problems.

Defence has accepted all of them.

The inquiry found a culture of mismanagement that included delayed and inadequate systems upgrades; inadequate formal documentation and manuals; and inadequate training.

heraldsun.com.au 10 Feb 2011