Agencies Blocked From Strengthening Cyber-Security

Two GOP lawmakers are blaming a federal union for undermining the efforts of U.S. agencies to bolster internal cyber-security.

In an op-ed for the Washington Times, House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz of Utah, and Alabama Rep. Gary Palmer, argue last summer's hack of the Office of Personnel Management that exposed the personal data of more than 21.5 million Americans proves "federal agencies should have the full authority to act quickly to protect vital information systems."

Yet the American Federation of Government Employees prevented a federal agency from strengthening its defenses against data breaches by blocking workers' access to certain websites, they charge.

"Putting collective bargaining rights above security is preposterous," the pair write. "It is critical that Congress intervene and help make every effort to strengthen our cyber-defenses."

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