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HRD-78-116 1 (1978-06-05)

handle is hein.gao/gaobaaxkf0001 and id is 1 raw text is: DCCU BENT SESUME 06218 - jB586O5J4 Procedures to Safequard Social Security Beneficiary Records Can and Should Be Improved. HRD-78-116; B-164031 (4). June 5, 1978. 28 pi,. + 4 apps~dicis i13 p., . Report to Rep. Charles Rose; Rep. John E. Pass; by Elmer B. Stdats, Comptrcl'ler General. Issue Area: Income Security Programs: Fruqzam aonitoring and Administration (1303). Contact: Human Resources Div. Budqet Function: Income Security: Public Assistance and Cthe,: Income Supplements (604); Income Security: General Betirement and bisebility Insurance (601). Orqanization Concerned: Department ai Health, Education, end Uelfare; Social Security Administratios. Conqressiknal Relevance: Rep. Cbatlee Hose; Rep. Johm IE. oss. Authority: Freedom of Information Act. The Social Security Administration (SSA) is r.es.osible fcr making correct and timely payme.zts to iadiv!'iual6 entitled to benefits under social insurance and welfare FLog-ams and for providing support functions for the medicare pxo/sA. These proqrams qenerate millions of ricords cn wcrkexs and beneficiaries that are .aintainee in aute :ated data banks and fileo. Fiadinlqs/Conclusions: Persontl f lus within the data system contain valuable private iufczma4icn that is necessary to support present and future Social Security tenefits. SSA usea a vast computerized telecommunications network tc process its workload and to handle inquiries ficm the public. The telecommuications system contained certain security weaknesses: the ability to create as well as query beneficiary files from most terminals, failure to use audit trail features within the system, failure to always lock terminals dvring nonworking hours, and unlimited unrestricted access tc terminals. Piles containinq personal data on beneficiaries such as earnings rscords, financial status, and medical evaluations were not beinq properly safeguarded from potential lc.s, destruction, abuse, or misuse. SSA had not issued gidelines or criteria for establishincg physical cecurity measures at field offices and had not determined if adequate security was Frcvided in the kandling of information by states in administering welfare programs and by insurance companies in administering medicare. Recommendations: The Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare should direct the Commissioner of SSA to ccirect weaknesses in the telecommunications network and ccnt.nue tc pursue an active security Oroqram t, assure the Congres, the Eublic, and beneficiaries that records are properly safeguarded. In this effort, the Secretary should conduct a risk analysis to determine how best to correct physical sec,rity weaknesses, ir.cludinq measures which will achieve a baUance between good service to beneticiaries and good security. (HTM)

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