Congress cites U.S. air traffic control computer cracks

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- Computer security gaps at the agency that runs U.S. air traffic control put aviation safety at risk of potential electronic attack, a congressional report released Wednesday said.

The nonpartisan General Accounting Office, the investigative and audit arm of Congress, found "serious and pervasive problems" in all areas policed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

"Until FAA addresses the pervasive weaknesses in its computer security program, its critical information systems will remain at increased risk of intrusion and attack, and its aviation operations will remain at risk," the report said.

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FAA Administrator Jane Garvey, responding to the criticism at a House of Representatives Science Committee hearing, said in a prepared statement that the FAA had taken the "steps necessary" to plug the gaps identified by the General Accounting Office.

"I believe that we have put into place a structure for information system security that is vigilant," she said, adding "our nation's skyways are protected from cyber-threats."

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