IRS cracks down on PDA use

IRS CIO Todd Grams

Olivier Douliery

The IRS has more than 2,000 unapproved personal digital assistants that can connect to its network, the Treasury inspector general for tax administration said.

The IRS purchased 427 PDAs for key personnel who would be involved in continuity of operations during an emergency. The CIO's office has approved only those PDAs that can encrypt data for security, the IG said in a report late last month.

Earlier last month, IRS CIO Todd Grams, at right, told the IG's office, 'We must take a more aggressive approach to the management of PDAs.' Grams will select a security package with password and encryption capabilities and establish a process for removing or replacing uncertified PDAs.

About the Author

Mary Mosquera is a reporter for Federal Computer Week.

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