Report cites continuing holes in cybersecurity research

GAO recommends that White House office establish timelines for getting a cybersecurity research agenda.

Federal entities have taken several important steps to improve the oversight and coordination of cybersecurity research and development, but gaps remain, according to a Government Accountability Office report.

The report said a federal cybersecurity research agenda has not been developed despite earlier recommendations. It said the White House Office of Management and Budget has not asked agencies to provide all required information on federally funded research projects, so those trying to do oversight and coordination do not have the necessary information.

GAO recommended that the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy establish timelines for getting a cybersecurity research agenda. GAO also recommended that OMB give agencies guidelines for providing research data to repositories.

In commenting on a draft of the report, GAO said "OMB stated that it would review the need for such guidance."