Report faults U.S. cybersecurity

WASHINGTON, July 22 (UPI) -- The U.S. government does not have the specialists needed to protect its computer systems from outside cyber attack, a report released Wednesday said.

The consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton and the Partnership for Public Service Prepared the report "Cyber In-Security: Strengthening the Federal Cybersecurity Workforce." Researchers talked to government experts, polled chief information officers, held focus groups and examined public documents on U.S. cybersecurity.

The report faulted federal efforts in four areas, three of them involving hiring and retention. Those were a lack of top-quality applicants for federal jobs, a cumbersome system that stifles efforts to recruit and keep top talent and a disconnect between human resources employees, who are more satisfied with those who are hired, and line managers, who are not happy.

Federal cybersecurity efforts are also uncoordinated, with no single agency having responsibility, the report said.

Recommendations include an effort led by the White House to develop a government-wide computer security plan.