Government Accountability Office
Reports on Secrecy and Security Policy
Personnel Vetting: DOD Needs a Reliable Schedule and Cost Estimate for the National Background Investigation Services Program [GAO-23-105670], August 2023
Freedom of Information Act: Selected Agencies Adapted to the COVID-19 Pandemic but Face Ongoing Challenges and Backlogs [GAO-22-105040], January 2022
National Security: DOD and State Have Processes for Formal and Informal Challenges to the Classification of Information [GAO-21-294], April 2021
Freedom of Information Act: Actions Needed to Improve Agency Compliance with Proactive Disclosure Requirements [GAO-21-254], March 2021
Freedom of Information Act: Update on Federal Agencies' Use of Exemption Statutes [GAO-21-148], January 2021
DoD Critical Technologies: Plans for Communicating, Assessing, and Overseeing Protection Efforts Should Be Completed [GAO-21-158], January 2021
Information Management: Selected Agencies Need to Fully Address Federal Electronic Recordkeeping Requirements, February 2020
Freedom of Information Act: Federal Agencies' Recent Implementation Efforts [GAO-20-406R], March 2020
Data Center Optimization: Agencies Report Progress, but Oversight and Cybersecurity Risks Need to Be Addressed [GAO-20-279], March 2020
Federal Research: Additional Actions Needed to Improve Public Access to Research Results [GAO-20-81], November 2019
Whistleblowers: Key Practices for Congress to Consider When Receiving and Referring Information [GAO-19-432], May 2019
High-Risk Series: Substantial Efforts Needed to Achieve Greater Progress on High-Risk Areas including the security clearance process [GAO-19-157SP], March 2019
Whistleblower Protection: Analysis of DOD's Actions to Improve Case Timeliness and Safeguard Confidentiality [GAO-19-198], March 2019
Military Courts: DOD Should Assess the Tradeoffs Associated With Expanding Public Access to and Information About Terrorism Trials [GAO-19-283], February 12, 2019
Presidential Security: Vetting of Individuals and Secure Areas at Mar-a-Lago [GAO-19-246], January 23, 2019
Weapon Systems Cybersecurity: DOD Just Beginning to Grapple with Scale of Vulnerabilities [GAO-19-128], October 9, 2018
Freedom of Information Act: Agencies Are Implementing Requirements, but Additional Actions Are Needed [GAO-18-365], June 25, 2018
Protecting Classified Information: Defense Security Service Should Address Challenges as New Approach Is Piloted [GAO-18-407], May 14, 2018
Freedom of Information Act: Agencies Are Implementing Requirements but Need to Take Additional Actions [GAO-18-452T], March 13, 2018
Freedom of Information Act: Federal Court Decisions Have Not Required the Office of Special Counsel to Initiate Disciplinary Actions for the Improper Withholding of Records [GAO-18-235], March 13, 2018
Personnel Security Clearances: Additional Actions Needed to Ensure Quality, Address Timeliness, and Reduce Investigation Backlog [GAO-18-29], December 2017
Personnel Security Clearances: Plans Needed to Fully Implement and Oversee Continuous Evaluation of Clearance Holders [GAO-18-117], November 2017
Freedom of Information Act: Litigation Costs For Justice and Agencies Could Not Be Fully Determined [GAO-16-667], September 2016
Insider Threats: DOD Should Improve Information Sharing and Oversight to Protect U.S. Installations [GAO-15-543], July 2015
Insider Threats: DOD Should Strengthen Management and Guidance to Protect Classified Information and Systems [GAO-15-544], June 2015
Whistleblower Protection: DOD Needs to Enhance Oversight of Military Whistleblower Reprisal Investigations [GAO-15-477], May 2015
Personnel Security Clearances: Additional Guidance and Oversight Needed at DHS and DOD to Ensure Consistent Application of Revocation Process [GAO-14-640], September 8, 2014
Security Clearances: Tax Debts Owed by DOD Employees and Contractors [GAO-14-686R], July 28, 2014
Personnel Security Clearances: Actions Needed to Ensure Quality of Background Investigations and Resulting Decisions [GAO-14-138T], February 11, 2014
Personnel Security Clearances: Actions Needed to Help Ensure Correct Designations of National Security Positions [GAO-14-139T], November 20, 2013
Personnel Security Clearances: Opportunities Exist to Improve Quality Throughout the Process [GAO-14-186T], November 13, 2013
Personnel Security Clearances: Full Development and Implementation of Metrics Needed to Measure Quality of Process [GAO-14-157T], October 31, 2013
Security Clearances: Additional Mechanisms May Aid Federal Tax-Debt Detection [GAO-13-733], September 2013
Freedom of Information Act: Office of Government Information Services Has Begun Implementing Its Responsibilities, but Further Actions Are Needed [GAO-13-650], September 2013
Reps. Hunter and Roby Request GAO Review of Overclassification, June 19, 2013; GAO Agrees to Perform Requested Review of Overclassification, July 30, 2013
Freedom of Information Act: Additional Actions Can Strengthen Agency Efforts to Improve Management [GAO-12-828], July 2012
Strategic Weapons: Changes in the Nuclear Weapons Targeting Process Since 1991 [GAO-12-786R], July 31, 2012
Security Clearances: Agencies Need Clearly Defined Policy for Deterimining Civilian Position Requirements [GAO-12-800], July 12, 2012
Personnel Security Clearances: Continuing Leadership and Attention Can Enhance Momentum Gained from Reform Effort [GAO-12-815T], June 21, 2012
Personnel Security Clearances: Further Actions Needed to Improve the Process and Realize Efficiencies [GAO-13-728T], June 20, 2012
Background Investigations: Office of Personnel Management Needs to Improve Transparency of Its Pricing and Seek Cost Savings [GAO-12-197], February 2012
Information Sharing: Progress Made and Challenges Remaining in Sharing Terrorism-Related Information [GAO-12-144T], October 12, 2011
Department of Homeland Security: Progress Made and Work Remaining in Implementing Homeland Security Missions 10 Years after 9/11 [GAO-11-881], September 2011
Information Sharing: DHS Could Better Define How It Plans to Meet Its State and Local Mission and Improve Performance Accountability [GAO-11-223], December 2010
Personnel Security Clearances: Overall Progress Has Been Made to Reform the Governmentwide Security Clearance Process [GAO-11-232T], December 1, 2010
Export Controls: Agency Actions and Proposed Reform Initiatives May Address Previously Identified Weaknesses, but Challenges Remain [GAO-11-135R], November 16, 2010
Personnel Security Clearances: Progress Has Been Made to Improve Timeliness but Continued Oversight Is Needed to Sustain Momentum [GAO-11-65], November 2010
DOD Personnel Clearances: Preliminary Observations on DOD's Progress on Addressing Timeliness and Quality Issues [GAO-11-185T], November 16, 2010
Privacy: OPM Should Better Monitor Implementation of Privacy-Related Policies and Procedures for Background Investigations [GAO-10-849], September 2010
Information Sharing: Federal Agencies Are Helping Fusion Centers Build and Sustain Capabilities and Protect Privacy, but Could Better Measure Results [GAO-10-972], September 2010
Contractor Integrity: Stronger Safeguards Needed for Contractor Access to Sensitive Information [GAO-10-693], September 10, 2010
FBI Sets Limits on GAO Access to FBI Information, letter to GAO, July 28, 2009
GAO's Access to Information, letter to Sens. Grassley and Shelby, June 15, 2010
Export Controls: Observations on Selected Countries' Systems and Proposed Treaties [GAO-10-557], May 2010
Freedom of Information Act: Requirements and Implementation Continue to Evolve [GAO-10-537T], March 18, 2010
Electronic Government: Implementation of the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 [GAO-10-365], March 2010
Cybersecurity: Progress Made but Challenges Remain in Defining and Coordinating the Comprehensive National Initiative [GAO-10-338], March 2010
Information Sharing: Federal Agencies Are Sharing Border and Terrorism Information with Local and Tribal Law Enforcement Agencies, but Additional Efforts Are Needed [GAO-10-41], December 2009
Managing Sensitive Information: Actions Needed to Prevent Unintended Public Disclosures of U.S. Nuclear Sites and Activities [GAO-10-251], December 2009
Defense Critical Infrastructure: Actions Needed to Improve the Identification and Management of Electrical Power Risks and Vulnerabilities to DOD Critical Assets [GAO-10-147], October 2009
Interagency Collaboration: Key Issues for Congressional Oversight of National Security Strategies, Organizations, Workforce, and Information Sharing [GAO-09-904SP], September 2009
Personnel Security Clearances: Progress Has Been Made to Reduce Delays but Further Actions Are Needed to Enhance Quality and Sustain Reform Efforts [GAO-09-684T], September 15, 2009
Personnel Security Clearances: An Outcome-Focused Strategy Is Needed to Guide Implementation of the Reformed Clearance Process [GAO-09-488], May 2009
DoD Personnel Clearances: Comprehensive Timeliness Reporting, Complete Clearance Documentation, and Quality Measures Are Needed to Further Improve the Clearance Process [GAO-09-400], May 2009
Troubled Asset Relief Program: March 2009 Status of Efforts to Address Transparency and Accountability Issues [GAO-09-504], March 2009
Troubled Asset Relief Program: Status of Efforts to Address Transparency and Accountability Issues [GAO-09-539T], March 31, 2009
Freedom of Information Act: DHS Has Taken Steps to Enhance Its Program, but Opportunities Exist to Improve Efficiency and Cost-Effectiveness [GAO-09-260], March 2009
DOD Personnel Clearances: Preliminary Observations about Timeliness and Quality [GAO-09-261R], December 19, 2008
Personnel Security Clearances: Preliminary Observations on Joint Reform Efforts to Improve the Governmentwide Clearance Eligibility Process [GAO-08-1050T], July 30, 2008
Information Sharing: Definition of the Results to Be Achieved in Terrorism-Related Information Sharing Is Needed to Guide Implementation and Assess Progress [GAO-08-637T], July 23, 2008
Information Sharing Environment: Definition of the Results to Be Achieved in Improving Terrorism-Related Information Sharing Is Needed to Guide Implementation and Assess Progress [GAO-08-492], June 2008
Privacy: Congress Should Consider Alternatives for Strengthening Protection of Personally Identifiable Information [GAO-08-795T], June 18, 2008
Privacy: Alternatives Exist for Enhancing Protection of Personally Identifiable Information [GAO-08-536], May 2008
Personnel Clearances: Key Factors for Reforming the Security Clearance Process [GAO-08-776T], May 22, 2008
Defense Contracting: Post-Government Employment of Former DOD Officials Needs Greater Transparency [GAO-08-485], May 2008
Information Management: Challenges in Implementing an Electronic Records Archive [GAO-08-738T], May 14, 2008
Department of Defense: Observations on the National Industrial Security Program [GAO-08-695T], April 16, 2008
Freedom of Information Act: Agencies Are Making Progress in Reducing Backlog, but Additional Guidance Is Needed [GAO-08-344], March 2008
Defense Critical Infrastructure: DOD's Risk Analysis of Its Critical Infrastructure Omits Highly Sensitive Assets [GAO-08-373R], April 2, 2008
DOD Personnel Clearances: Questions for the Record Related to the Quality and Timeliness of Clearances [GAO-08-580R], March 25, 2008
Environmental Protection: EPA Needs to Ensure That Best Practices and Procedures Are Followed When Making Further Changes to Its Library Network [GAO-08-304], February 2008 (and related testimony)
DoD Personnel Clearances: Improved Annual Reporting Would Enable More Informed Congressional Oversight [GAO-08-350], February 2008
DoD Personnel Clearances: DOD Faces Multiple Challenges in Its Efforts to Improve Clearance Processes for Industry Personnel [GAO-08-470T], February 13, 2008
Los Alamos National Laboratory: Information on Security of Classified Data, Nuclear Material Controls, Nuclear and Worker Safety, and Project Management Weaknesses [GAO-08-173R], January 10, 2008
Transportation Security Administration's Processes for Designating and Releasing Sensitive Security Information [GAO-08-232R], November 30, 2007
DOD Should Provide Congress and the American Public with Monthly Data on Enemy-Initiated Attacks in Iraq in a Timely Manner [GAO-07-1048R], September 28, 2007
Transparent Government and Access to Information: A Role for Supreme Audit Institutions, Presentation by the Honorable David M. Walker Comptroller General of the United States, June 26, 2007
Presidential Signing Statements Accompanying the Fiscal Year 2006 Appropriations Acts, letter report, June 18, 2007
Federal Research: Policies Guiding the Dissemination of Scientific Research from Selected Agencies Should Be Clarified and Better Communicated [GAO-07-653], May 2007
DoD Personnel Clearances: Delays and Inadequate Documentation Found for Industry Personnel [GAO-07-842T], May 17, 2007
Department of Homeland Security: Observations on GAO Access to Information on Programs and Activities [GAO-07-700T], April 25, 2007
U.S. Government Accountability Office: Supporting the Congress through Oversight, Insight, and Foresight [GAO-07-644T], March 21, 2007
Freedom of Information Act: Processing Trends Show Importance of Improvement Plans [GAO-07-441], March 2007
Freedom of Information Act: Processing Trends Show Importance of Improvement Plans, testimony of Linda Koontz before a House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform subcommittee, February 14, 2007
Underinflated Tires in the United States [GAO-07-246R], February 9, 2007
Export Controls: Challenges Exist in Enforcement of an Inherently Complex System [GAO-07-265], December 2006
Export Controls: Agencies Should Assess Vulnerabilities and Improve Guidance for Protecting Export-Controlled Information at Universities [GAO-07-70], December 5, 2006
Export Controls: Agencies Should Assess Vulnerabilities and Improve Guidance for Protecting Export-Controlled Information at Companies [GAO-07-69], December 5, 2006
Managing Sensitive Information: DOJ Needs a More Complete Staffing Strategy for Managing Classified Information and a Set of Internal Controls for Other Sensitive Information [GAO-07-83], October 2006
DOD Personnel Clearances: Additional OMB Actions Are Needed to Improve the Security Clearance Process [GAO-06-1070], September, 2006
Defense Technologies: DOD's Critical Technologies Lists Rarely Inform Export Control and Other Policy Decisions [GAO-06-793], July 28, 2006
GAO-06-1022T Freedom of Information Act: Preliminary Analysis of Processing Trends Shows Importance of Improvement Plans [GAO-06-1022T], July 26, 2006
GAO-06-638 Export Controls: Improvements to Commerce's Dual-Use System Needed to Ensure Protection of U.S. Interests in the Post-9/11 Environment [GAO-06-638], June 2006
Managing Sensitive Information: DOD Can More Effectively Reduce the Risk of Classification Errors [GAO-06-706], June 30, 2006
Managing Sensitive Information: Actions Needed to Ensure Recent Changes in DOE Oversight Do Not Weaken an Effective Classification System [GAO-06-785], June 30, 2006
President's Justification of the High Performance Computer Control Threshold Does Not Fully Address National Defense Authorization Act of 1998 Requirements [GAO-06-754R], June 30, 2006
DOD Personnel Clearances: Questions and Answers for the Record Following the Second in a Series of Hearings on Fixing the Security Clearance Process [GAO-06-693R], June 14, 2006
DOD Personnel Clearances: New Concerns Slow Processing of Clearances for Industry Personnel [GAO-06-748T], May 17, 2006
DOD Personnel Clearances: Funding Challenges and Other Impediments Slow Clearances for Industry Personnel [GAO-06-747T], May 17, 2006
Information Sharing: DHS Should Take Steps to Encourage More Widespread Use of Its Program to Protect and Share Critical Infrastructure Information [GAO-06-383], April 2006
Information Sharing: The Federal Government Needs to Establish Policies and Processes for Sharing Terrorism-Related and Sensitive but Unclassified Information [GAO-06-385], March 2006
Managing Sensitive Information: Departments of Energy and Defense Policies and Oversight Could Be Improved [GAO-06-369], March 2006
Questions for the Record Related to DOD's Personnel Security Clearance Program and the Government Plan for Improving the Clearance Process [GAO-06-323R], January 17, 2006
War on Drugs: Inventory of Federal Agencies' Automated Information Systems [GAO/IMTEC-91-28FS], April 1991 (1.8 MB PDF file)
DoD Personnel Clearances: Government Plan Addresses Some Longstanding Problems with DOD's Program, But Concerns Remain [GAO-06-233T], November 9, 2005
Questions for the Record Related to DOD's Personnel Security Clearance Program [GAO-05-988R], August 19, 2005
Industrial Security: DOD Cannot Ensure Its Oversight of Contractors under Foreign Influence Is Sufficient [GAO-05-681], July 2005
DOD Personnel Clearances: Some Progress Has Been Made but Hurdles Remain to Overcome the Challenges That Led to GAO's High-Risk Designation [GAO-05-842T], June 28, 2005
INFORMATION MANAGEMENT: Freedom of Information Act Fee and Fee Waiver Processing at the Department of Energy [GAO-05-405], May 2005
INFORMATION MANAGEMENT: Implementation of the Freedom of Information Act [GAO-05-648T], May 11, 2005
DEFENSE ACQUISITIONS: Information for Congress on Performance of Major Programs Can Be More Complete, Timely, and Accessible [GAO-05-182], March 2005
Data Mining: Federal Efforts Cover a Wide Range of Uses [GAO-04-548], May 2004
DOD Personnel Clearances: Additional Steps Can Be Taken to Reduce Backlogs and Delays in Determining Security Clearance Eligibility for Industry Personnel [GAO-04-632], May 2004
Federal Advisory Committees: Additional Guidance Could Help Agencies Better Ensure Independence and Balance [GAO-04-328], April 2004 (2.9 MB PDF file)
DoD Personnel Clearances: Preliminary Observations Related to Backlogs and Delays in Determining Security Clearance Eligibility for Industry Personnel, GAO-04-202T, May 6, 2004
Security Clearances: FBI Has Enhanced Its Process for State and Local Law Enforcement Officials, GAO-04-596, April 2004
Critical Infrastructure Protection: Establishing Effective Information Sharing with Infrastructure Sectors, GAO-04-699T, April 21, 2004
Industrial Security: DOD Cannot Provide Adequate Assurances That Its Oversight Ensures the Protection of Classified Information [GAO-04-332], March 2004
DoD Personnel Clearances: DOD Needs to Overcome Impediments to Eliminating Backlog and Determining Its Size [GAO-04-344], February 2004
Homeland Security: Efforts to Improve Information Sharing Need to Be Strengthened, GAO-03-760, August 2003
Energy Task Force: Process Used to Develop the National Energy Policy, GAO-03-894, August 2003
Building Security: Interagency Security Committee Has Had Limited Success in Fulfilling Its Responsibilities, GAO-02-1004, September 2002
CIA Policy for Dealing with the General Accounting Office, Memorandum for the Director of Central Intelligence from Stanley M. Moskowitz, Director of Congressional Affairs, 7 July 1994
Observations on GAO Access to Information on CIA Programs and Activities, Testimony of Henry L. Hinton, Jr., U.S. General Accounting Office, GAO-01-975T, July 18, 2001
Background Investigations: Impediments to Consolidating Investigations and Adjudicative Functions, NSIAD-95-101, March 1995
The Use of Presidential Directives to Make and Implement U.S. Policy, NSIAD-92-72, January 1992
Improvements Needed in the Government's Personnel Security Clearance Program, Statement of Bill W. Thurman, NSIAD, April 16, 1985
The Central Intelligence Agency's Handling of Mandatory Review Requests Under Executive Order 12065, LCD-80-51, April 11, 1980
Request for Information Relating to Report on Nuclear Diversion in the United States, EMD-79-36, February 27, 1979