GAO: Security panel hampered by lack of leadership, resources

A panel created to develop governmentwide security standards for federal buildings has fallen short of its mission because of poor leadership and insufficient resources, according to a new report from the General Accounting Office.

The Interagency Security Committee (ISC), created by executive order seven years ago after the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Okla., is responsible for developing security plans and evacuation procedures for those who work in the 3.2 billion square feet of space leased or owned by the federal government. Stephen Perry, head of the General Services Administration, chairs the committee and representatives from the CIA, Marshals Service, Office of Management and Budget and Environmental Protection Agency, among others, make up the group. The committee oversees the implementation of security measures in federal buildings and ensures that agencies comply with those standards.

But GAO found that while the committee has developed some security standards and provided guidance on security technology to agencies, the group has yet to establish a governmentwide policy for securing federal buildings.

Part of the committee's problem is a lack of leadership from GSA officials, according to the report, "Building Security: Interagency Security Committee Has Had Limited Success in Fulfilling Its Responsibilities" (GAO-02-1004). Committee members also cited a lack of funding and support staff, as well as infrequent meetings, as barriers to achieving their mission. The group has also had trouble reaching decisions over the past seven years, committee members told GAO.

"Several [committee members] believe it has not been very effective or has not lived up to its potential," the report said.

GAO recommended that Perry work with the committee to remedy the problems identified by committee members.

In response to GAO's findings, GSA acknowledged the lack of consistent and aggressive leadership and said it would address the issue and other problems outlined in the report.