A former Interior Department official said he is confident the Bureau of Indian Affairs is safe from Internet attacks despite a report that quoted him otherwise.

Mike Howell was the chief information officer at the department when the Inspector General released a report in May 2008 that cited security risks The report quoted Howell as warning of failures unless changes were made.

Howell, who now works at the White House Office of Management and Budget, told Nextgov that he was quoted accurately in the report. But he said he was referring to Interior's security, not specifically to the BIA.

The Cobell plaintiffs have been critical of the department's Internet security.

Get the Story:
Howell Addresses Interior Lawsuit (Nextgov 7/23)

Recent IG Report:
Compilation of Information Technology Challenges at DOI (May 2008)