Commerce IG to review recent cyber attack, security practices

A Commerce Department agency’s security program is under review, following a January cyber attack that crippled its networks.

As part of an annual audit, the inspector general is reviewing the Economic Development Agency’s security program, according to a June memo. The review will determine the program’s effectiveness, significant factors that led to the cyber attack and how EDA has responded.

The computer virus was discovered Jan. 20, and the agency shut down employees’ Internet access the following week. Workers were eventually given new computer workstations with access to Internet and email, and the Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Computer Emergency Readiness Team launched an investigation.

Despite the systems disruption, the agency’s job still got done: It announced 72 grants totaling $32.6 million during that period.