DHS (Department of Homeland Security) Must Address Internet Protocol Version 6 Challenges

摘要

We evaluated the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) transition to Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6). The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) requires federal agencies to demonstrate by June 2008, the capability to pass IPv6 traffic and support IPv6 addresses from the (1) Internet to their local area network; (2) their local area network to the Internet; and (3) their local area network to other local area networks. Our objective was to determine whether DHS is effectively managing its implementation of IPv6. Although DHS has begun the early stages of implementing OMBs IPv6 transition requirements, it is unlikely that the department will be positioned to take timely advantage of the enhanced capabilities of IPv6 as IPv6-capable products and services become available. Specifically, we recommend that DHS (1) complete an inventory of IPv6 applications and devices; (2) finalize its IPv6 transition strategy; (3) provide guidance to its components and offices to plan for their IPv6 transition; and (4) better coordinate with the OneNet Steward. The five recommendations herein have been developed to the best knowledge available to our office, and have been discussed in draft with those responsible for implementation. In response to our draft report, DHS concurred with our recommendations. DHS response is summarized and evaluated in the body of this report and included, in its entirety, as Appendix A.