Year 2000 Computing Crisis: Time Is Running Out for Federal Agencies to Preparefor the New Millennium

摘要

During the past 12 months, the year 2000 computing problem has received increasedattention-and deservedly so-in large part thanks to the efforts of Subcommittees. Much has happened since the initial congressional hearings on this matter were held just over a year ago on whether computer systems that support federal programs will be equipped to handle dates later than 1999. At that time, most federal agencies were just beginning to be aware of the year 2000 issue and its importance, and few had prepared plans for addressing it. Now, agencies report to the Office of Management and Budget (0MB) that they are in a much better position to resolve the year 2000 challenge before the actual change of millennium. However, while agencies have certainly made progress over the last year, GAO believes that the pace needs to be significantly accelerated if widespread systems problems are to be avoided as the year 2000 approaches. This testimony today will describe the federal government's strategy for addressing the year 2000 problem, and agencies' reported status in resolving the issue. In addition, we will provide observations on federal efforts to date based on work we have completed at certain agencies and on our review of OMB's implementation of the federal strategy, including year 2000 reports submitted by 24 federal agencies.