A damning report on the state of the ACT Government’s computer information equipment uncovered during financial audits last financial year has found it to be in dire need of attention.
In his report 4/2019: 2017-18 Financial Audits-Computer Information Systems, Auditor-General, Michael Harris makes 19 recommendations to improve the controls Agencies have over their computer information systems.
“The ACT Government’s computer information systems are exposed to unnecessary risks,” Mr Harris said.
He said this view was based on weaknesses identified from a review of controls over the systems during past financial audits.
“These controls are important as the output from these systems is only as accurate as the information entered and stored within them,” Mr Harris said.
“The weaknesses identified present a higher risk of errors and fraud, unauthorised disclosure of sensitive information; loss of information and the inability to recover systems in the event of a major disruption or disaster.”
He said particular attention needed to be paid to maintaining system security and performance; protecting systems from malicious attacks; and safeguarding data and applications on the network against unauthorised and fraudulent access.
Mr Harris also said more attention needed to be given to addressing weaknesses in a timely manner as some were first raised by the ACT Audit Office five or more years ago.
“Overall, the audit assessment determined that the key controls over computer information systems used for financial reporting purposes by Agencies were satisfactory.”
His recommendations were aimed at furthering improvements on controls implemented by ACT Government Agencies over their computer information systems.
“Commendably, some ACT Government Agencies have already instituted action to address issues identified in the report,” Mr Harris said.
“Continued vigilance however is necessary to maintain the accuracy, completeness and reliability of financial information being reported in their financial statements.”
The Auditor-General’s 63-page report can be accessed at this PS News link.
The audit team was listed as Adam Mamun, Ahmad Yaseen, Andrew Birkett, Ajay Sharma, Anindita Kumar, Ben Vete, Benjamin Fradd, Berk Canturk, Bernie Sheville, Chang Chow, Chloe Woolf, Chris Huang, Claire Cheng, David O’Toole, Ehmar Nazir, Elena Agrizko, Jatin Singh, Jaynesh Parbhu, Joseph James, Naveed Nisar, Philip Mini, Ping Chen, Rosario San Miguel, Ryan Whanslaw, Saman Mahaarachchi, Samina Khatoon, Stella Pakpahan, Subramanium Arulmugavarathan, Tim Larnach, Wenxin (Cherrie) Zeng and Xiaoping Zhu.
