Page 61 - GAO-02-327 Electronic Government: Challenges to Effective Adoption of the Extensible Markup Language

Chapter 3: The Federal Government Faces
Challenges in Realizing XML’s Full Potential

discrete information but are merely the calculated derivatives of primary
data elements—are also likely to proliferate. If XML is simply added on to
“glue” these systems together, the organization will have to carry the
burden of maintaining many more data elements and definitions than are
necessary, as well as all the translations needed to effectively pass data
among the systems.

We have recommended that an organization’s data needs be assessed as a
whole and an architecture defined that includes a core set of critical data
elements and structures. Redundant elements, as well as secondary and
tertiary elements, can then be eliminated, saving the organization the
expense of maintaining them. XML can then be implemented more
efficiently, with fewer translations required between elements that have
different names but refer to the same thing. The organization will also be
better prepared to define interfaces to external systems and data sources.
According to a National Electronic Commerce Coordinating Council
8
report, applying XML within government can yield greater benefits if
agencies take the initial step of inventorying common data exchanges.

As with any element of an IT infrastructure, security issues `need to be
identified and addressed when XML is being implemented. As previously
discussed, XML documents potentially could be used to transport
malicious code—such as viruses and worms—into an agency’s computer
systems, because virus checkers do not always examine the content of
XML documents. System design documents will need to include plans to
compensate for this and other potential vulnerabilities.

8
National Electronic Commerce Coordinating Council, An Introduction to XML’s
Potential Use within Government (December 2000).

Page 57 GAO-02-327 Electronic Government