Chief’s Counsel: Principles to Promote Effective Agency Practices in Database and Information Management

Out of personal curiosity, an agency analyst repeatedly accesses databases she uses daily for official purposes to glean personal information about coworkers and others. Even though the analyst does not sell or use the information to commit a crime such as identify theft, the agency expends significant time and effort notifying those whose personal information has been inappropriately accessed. The analyst is disciplined, and the agency implements new steps to train and monitor individuals who are granted access to databases.