Smith: NASA Negligent With Sensitive Information | Aero-News Network
Aero-News Network
RSS icon RSS feed
podcast icon MP3 podcast
Subscribe Aero-News e-mail Newsletter Subscribe

Airborne Unlimited -- Most Recent Daily Episodes

Episode Date

Airborne-Monday

Airborne-Tuesday

Airborne-Wednesday Airborne-Thursday

Airborne-Friday

Airborne On YouTube

Airborne-Unlimited-07.07.25

Airborne-NextGen-07.08.25

AirborneUnlimited-07.09.25

Airborne-FlightTraining-07.10.25

AirborneUnlimited-07.11.25

Fri, May 23, 2014

Smith: NASA Negligent With Sensitive Information

GAO Report Finds Weaknesses In Space Agency's Control Of Access To Information

A recently-released Government Accountability Office (GAO) report found that weaknesses in NASA’s export control policy and implementation of foreign national access procedures at some centers “increase the risk of unauthorized access to export-controlled technologies.”

House Science Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-TX) (pictured) said that NASA's attitude towards such information could represent a threat to national security. “NASA continues to struggle with the protection of sensitive information," Smith said in a statement. "Our science and technology agencies, including NASA, are frequently targeted by other nations, criminals and cyber vandals.  If NASA continues to treat sensitive information so casually, our nation’s prized aerospace technology could end up in the wrong hands.” 

Last year the Science Committee learned of inappropriate access granted to a foreign national at NASA’s Langley Research Center.  And earlier this year, the National Academy of Public Administration called into question NASA’s efforts to control foreign national access.  NASA’s Inspector General has also issued a report critical of the agency’s handling of sensitive information at the Ames Research Center.  

The GAO report states that the NASA officials responsible for protecting sensitive information “lack a comprehensive inventory of the types and location of export-controlled technologies.” It also criticizes NASA officials for failing to implement recommended policies in a timely fashion.  Further, without timeframes to monitor corrective actions, GAO said it will be difficult for NASA to ensure that these actions will be effective.

The report was requested by House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-TX) and Subcommittee on Oversight Chairman Paul Broun (R-GA).

FMI: http://science.house.gov

Advertisement

More News

NTSB Final Report: Aviat A1

Airplane Bounced About 3 Ft Then Touched Back Down And Then, With No Brakes Applied, The Airplane Began Veering To The Left Analysis: The pilot entered the airport traffic pattern >[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (07.08.25)

Aero Linx: British Microlight Aircraft Association (BMAA) The primary focus within all aviation activity is SAFETY. In all aspects of our sport SAFETY must come first, whether it b>[...]

Classic Aero-TV: Fly Corvair’s Reliable Engine Alternative

From SnF25 (YouTube Edition): William Wynne Builds Practical Aircraft Engines on the Corvair Platform Seeking an affordable alternative to the traditional aircraft engine options, >[...]

ANN FAQ: Contributing To Aero-TV

How To Get A Story On Aero-TV News/Feature Programming How do I submit a story idea or lead to Aero-TV? If you would like to submit a story idea or lead, please contact Jim Campbel>[...]

Classic Aero-TV: CiES Fuel-Quantity and e-Throttle Systems Praised

From 2023 (YouTube Edition): Bridge of CiES CiES Inc. is a Bend, Oregon-based designer and manufacturer of modular embedded aircraft systems and sensors. The company’s fuel-l>[...]

blog comments powered by Disqus



Advertisement

Advertisement

Podcasts

Advertisement

© 2007 - 2025 Web Development & Design by Pauli Systems, LC