**GAO-10-693**                      Published: Sep 10, 2010. Publicly Released: Sep 10, 2010.                  

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## Highlights

In performing agency tasks, contractor employees often require access to sensitive information that must be protected from unauthorized disclosure or misuse. This report assesses the (1) extent to which agency guidance and contracts contain safeguards for contractor access to sensitive information, and (2) adequacy of governmentwide guidance on how agencies are to safeguard sensitive information to which contractors may have access. To conduct this work, GAO identified key attributes involving sensitive-information safeguards, analyzed guidance and met with officials at three agencies selected for their extensive reliance on contractor employees, analyzed 42 of their contract actions for services potentially requiring contractor access to sensitive information, and analyzed the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and pending FAR changes regarding governmentwide guidance on contractor safeguards for access to sensitive information.

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Full Report (72 pages)

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## GAO Contacts

William T. Woods
woodsw@gao.gov

(202) 512-4841

## Office of Public Affairs

Sarah Kaczmarek
kaczmareks@gao.gov

(202) 512-4800

## Topics

Government Operations

Access controlAccountabilityAgency proceedingsAgency protocolsAuthorized accessConfidential informationContractorsControlled accessInformation accessInformation disclosureInformation managementRisk managementSafeguardsContract performancePolicies and procedures