Government Accountability Office
General Accounting Office
Security-related Reports

GAO Homeland Security Reports - Subcategories

September 11
Dept. of Homeland Security
Disaster Preparedness / Response
Combating Terrorism
Building Security
Nuclear/Chemical/Biological Terrorism
Aviation Security
Maritime Security
Critical Infrastructure Protection
Border Control
Coast Guard
Drug Control
Financial/Counterfeiting
Information Security
Information Technology
Flu Pandemic

Building Security

• Federal Facility Security: Selected Agencies Should Improve Methods for Assessing and Monitoring Risk, GAO-18-72, October 26, 2017
• Face Recognition Technology: DOJ and FBI Need to Take Additional Actions to Ensure Privacy and Accuracy, GAO-17-489T, March 22, 2017
• FACE Recognition Technology: FBI Should Better Ensure Privacy and Accuracy [Reissued on August 3, 2016], GAO-16-267, May 16, 2016
• Federal Protective Service: Enhancements to Performance Measures and Data Quality Processes Could Improve Human Capital Planning, GAO-16-384, March 24, 2016
• Diplomatic Security: Options for Locating a Consolidated Training Facility, by Michael J. Courts, director, international affairs and trade, before the Subcommittee on State Department and USAID Management, International Operations, and Bilateral International Development, Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, GAO-16-139T, October 8, 2015
• Diplomatic Security: Options for Locating a Consolidated Training Facility, GAO-15-808R, September 9, 2015
• Insider Threats: DOD Should Improve Information Sharing and Oversight to Protect U.S. Installations, GAO-15-543, July 16, 2015
• Diplomatic Security: State Department Should Better Manage Risks to Residences and Other Soft Targets Overseas, GAO-15-700, July 9, 2015
• Homeland Security: Actions Needed to Better Manage Security Screening at Federal Buildings and Courthouses, GAO-15-445, March 31, 2015
• Facility Security: Federal Protective Service's and Selected Federal Tenants' Sharing of and Response to Incident Information, GAO-15-406R, April 27, 2015
• Homeland Security: Action Needed to Better Assess Cost-Effectiveness of Security Enhancements at Federal Facilities, GAO-15-444, March 24, 2015
• Federal Facility Cybersecurity: DHS and GSA Should Address Cyber Risk to Building and Access Control Systems, GAO-15-6, December 12, 2014
• Facility Security: Greater Outreach by DHS on Standards and Management Practices Could Benefit Federal Agencies, GAO-13-222, January 24, 2013
• Federal Real Property Security: Interagency Security Committee Should Implement a Lessons-Learned Process, GAO-12-901, September 10, 2012
• Federal Protective Service: Actions Needed to Assess Risk and Better Manage Contract Guards at Federal Facilities, GAO-12-739, August 10, 2012
• Federal Protective Service: Better Data on Facility Jurisdictions Needed to Enhance Collaboration with State and Local Law Enforcement, GAO-12-434, March 27, 2012
• Personal ID Verification: Agencies Should Set a Higher Priority on Using the Capabilities of Standardized Identification Cards, GAO-11-751, September 20, 2011
• Diplomatic Security: Expanded Missions and Inadequate Facilities Pose Critical Challenges to Training Efforts, GAO-11-780T, Jun 29, 2011
• Diplomatic Security: Expanded Missions and Inadequate Facilities Pose Critical Challenges to Training Efforts, GAO-11-460, Jun 1, 2011
• Building Security: New Federal Standards Hold Promise, But Could Be Strengthened to Better Protect Leased Space, GAO-10-873, Sep 22, 2010
• Homeland Security: Addressing Weaknesses with Facility Security Committees Would Enhance Protection of Federal Facilities, GAO-10-901, Aug 5, 2010
• New Embassy Compounds: State Faces Challenges in Sizing Facilities and Providing for Operations and Maintenance Requirements, GAO-10-689, Jul 20, 2010
• Homeland Security: Federal Protective Service's Contract Guard Program Requires More Oversight and Reassessment of Use of Contract Guards, GAO-10-341, Apr 13, 2010
• Homeland Security: Ongoing Challenges Impact the Federal Protective Service's Ability to Protect Federal Facilities, GAO-10-506T, Mar 16, 2010
• State Department: Challenges Facing the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, GAO-10-290T, Dec 9, 2009
• State Department: Diplomatic Security's Recent Growth Warrants Strategic Review, GAO-10-156, Nov 12, 2009
• Homeland Security: Greater Attention to Key Practices Would Help Address Security Vulnerabilities at Federal Buildings, GAO-10-236T, Nov 18, 2009
• Homeland Security: Greater Attention to Key Practices Would Improve the Federal Protective Service's Approach to Facility Protection, GAO-10-142, Oct 23, 2009
• Homeland Security: Federal Protective Service Has Taken Some Initial Steps to Address Its Challenges, but Vulnerabilities Still Exist, GAO-09-1047T, Sep 23, 2009
• Homeland Security: Preliminary Results Show Federal Protective Service's Ability to Protect Federal Facilities Is Hampered By Weaknesses in Its Contract Security Guard Program, GAO-09-859T, Jul 8, 2009
• Homeland Security: Actions Needed to Improve Security Practices at National Icons and Parks, GAO-09-983, Aug 28, 2009
• Homeland Security: The Federal Protective Service Faces Several Challenges That Raise Concerns About Protection of Federal Facilities, GAO-08-897T, Jun 19, 2008
• Homeland Security: The Federal Protective Service Faces Several Challenges That Raise Concerns About Protection of Federal Facilities GAO-08-914T June 18, 2008
• Homeland Security: The Federal Protective Service Faces Several Challenges That Hamper Its Ability to Protect Federal Facilities GAO-08-683 June 11, 2008
• Embassy Security: Upgrades Have Enhanced Security, but Site Conditions Prevent Full Adherence to Standards GAO-08-162 January 18, 2008 [3.8 Mb]
• State Department: Evacuation Planning and Preparations for Overseas Posts Can Be Improved GAO-08-23 October 19, 2007
• State Department: Survey of Overseas Posts' Emergency Action Committees on Planning, Preparing for, and Conducting Evacuations (GAO-08-24SP), an E-supplement to GAO-08-23 GAO-08-24SP October 19, 2007
• Olympic Security: Better Planning Can Enhance U.S. Support to Future Olympic Games, GAO-06-753, June 30, 2006
• U.S. Postal Service: Guidance on Suspicious Mail Needs Further Refinement. GAO-05-716, July 19, 2005.
• Homeland Security: Actions Needed to Better Protect National Icons and Federal Office Buildings from Terrorism. GAO-05-790, June 24, 2005. [PDF 3.0MB]
• Olympic Security: U.S. Support to Athens Games Provides Lessons for Future Olympics. GAO-05-547, May 31, 2005.
• Overseas Security: State Department Has Not Fully Implemented Key Measures to Protect U.S. Officials from Terrorist Attacks Outside of Embassies, by Jess T. Ford, director, international affairs and trade, before the Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats, and International Relations. GAO-05-688T, May 10, 2005.
• Overseas Security: State Department Has Not Fully Implemented Key Measures to Protect U.S. Officials from Terrorist Attacks Outside of Embassies. GAO-05-642, May 9, 2005. [PDF 1.7MB]
• U.S. POSTAL SERVICE Physical Security Measures Have Increased at Some Core Facilities, but Security Problems Continue (GAO-05-48), November 2004 [PDF 874 Kb]
• Embassy Construction: Achieving Concurrent Construction Would Help Reduce Costs and Meet Security Goals. GAO-04-952, September 28, 2004.
• Embassy Construction: Process for Determining Staffing Requirements Needs Improvement, April 7, 2003 (GAO-03-411) [PDF Mb]
• Overseas Presence: Systematic Processes Needed to Rightsize Posts and Guide Embassy Construction, by Jess T. Ford, director, international affairs and trade, before the Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats, and International Relations, House Committee on Government Reform, April 7, 2003 (GAO-03-582T) [PDF Mb]
• Overseas Presence: Rightsizing Framework Can Be Applied at U.S. Diplomatic Posts in Developing Countries, April 7, 2003 (GAO-03-396) [PDF Mb]
• Overseas Presence: Conditions of Overseas Diplomatic Facilities, by Jess T. Ford, director, international affairs and trade, before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, March 20, 2003 (GAO-03-557T) [PDF Mb]
• MASS TRANSIT: Federal Action Could Help Transit Agencies Address Security Challenges, December 2002 (GAO-03-263) [PDF 2.19 Mb]
• COMBATING TERRORISM: Actions Needed to Guide Services' Antiterrorism Efforts at Installations, November 2002, (GAO-03-14) [PDF 388 Kb]
• COMBATING TERRORISM: Actions Needed to Improve Force Protection for DOD Deployments through Domestic Seaports, October 2002 (GAO-03-15) [PDF 866 Kb]
• BUILDING SECURITY: Security Responsibilities for Federally Owned and Leased Facilities, October 2002 (GAO-03-8) [PDF 854 Kb]
• BUILDING SECURITY: Interagency Security Committee Has Had Limited Success in Fulfilling Its Responsibilities, September 2002 (GAO-02-1004) [PDF 451 Kb]
• Security Protection: Standardization Issues Regarding Protection of Executive Branch Officials [T-GGD/OSI-00-177] 07/27/2000
• Combating Terrorism: Action Taken but Considerable Risks Remain for Forces Overseas [NSIAD-00-181] 07/19/2000. [PDF Version 2.38 Mb]
• Security Protection: Standardization Issues Regarding Protection of Executive Branch Officials [GGD/OSI-00-139] 07/11/2000
• State Department: Overseas Emergency Security Program Progressing, But Costs Are Increasing [NSIAD-00-83] 03/08/2000. [PDF Version]
• Crime Technology: Department of Defense Assistance to State and Local Law Enforcement Agencies [GGD-00-014] 10/12/1999
• General Services Administration: Many Building Security Upgrades Made But Problems Have Hindered Program Implementation (Testimony, 06/04/98, GAO/T-GGD-98-141)
• Combating Terrorism: Efforts to Protect U.S. Forces in Turkey and the Middle East. T-NSIAD-98-44. 9 pp. October 28, 1997. [PDF]