Cybersecurity chief had qualms over health website

The top cybersecurity officer for the Health and Human Services Department says he was concerned about potential vulnerabilities before the launch of the Obama administration's health care website.

Kevin Charest told congressional investigators he was unable to get answers to his questions from others inside the department. He concluded that testing of the site did not follow security "best practices."

Charest told congressional investigators during a Jan. 8 deposition that websites typically undergo full security testing after they are fully built and stable. HealthCare.gov was under construction and prone to crashing.

Excerpts of his testimony were provided to The Associated Press by the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

Charest and Teresa Fryer—another government cybersecurity professional who had qualms—are expected to testify before the panel Thursday.

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