Security is only as strong as the weakest link in the chain, so even organizations with the most well-thought-out security programs can be jeopardized if their partners' security practices are lax. This is true of the Department of Defense as well its Defense Security Service, which monitors the information-security programs of more than 11,000 contractors, "cannot identify systemic vulnerabilities and make corrective changes to reduce the risk of information compromise" from contractors. The GAO report, which includes Haave's response, is below.Gao04332_Computer0704.pdf