What GAO found in its new report on Information Security and the IRS:
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) made progress in implementing information security controls; however, weaknesses limit their effectiveness in protecting the confidentiality, integrity and availability of financial and sensitive taxpayer data. During fiscal year 2014, IRS continued to devote attention to securing its information systems that process sensitive taxpayer and financial information. Key among its actions were improving the security over the software that manages changes to its mainframe environment and upgrading secure communications enterprise-wide for sensitive data. However, significant control deficiencies existed. For example, IRS did not install appropriate security updates on all of its databases and servers, and did not sufficiently monitor control activities that support its financial reporting. In addition, IRS did not effectively maintain the secure configuration of a key application, or appropriately segregate duties by allowing a developer unnecessary access to the application.
An underlying reason for these weaknesses is that IRS has not effectively implemented elements of its information security program. The agency had a comprehensive framework for its program, such as assessing risk for its systems, developing security plans, and providing employees with security awareness and specialized training. However, aspects of its program were not yet effectively implemented. For example, IRS’s testing methodology did not always determine whether required controls were operating effectively; consequently, GAO continued to identify control weaknesses that had not been detected by IRS. Also, IRS had not updated key mainframe policies and procedures to address issues such as comprehensively auditing and monitoring of access, thereby increasing the risk of unauthorized access to tax processing systems not being detected. In addition, IRS did not reassess controls for a key system after significant changes had been made in the operating environment. Further, IRS had not ensured that many of its corrective actions to address previously identified deficiencies were effective. For example, of 69 previously reported weaknesses that remained unresolved at the end of GAO’s last audit, IRS indicated it had implemented corrective actions for 24 of them; however, GAO determined that 10 of the 24 weaknesses had not been fully resolved.
Until IRS takes additional steps to (1) address unresolved and newly identified control deficiencies and (2) effectively implements elements of its information security program, including, among other things, updating policies, test and evaluation procedures, and remedial action procedures, its financial and taxpayer data will remain unnecessarily vulnerable to inappropriate and undetected use, modification, or disclosure. These shortcomings were the basis for GAO’s determination that IRS had a significant deficiency in internal control over financial reporting systems for fiscal year 2014.
Read the full report:
INFORMATION SECURITY: IRS Needs to Continue Improving Controls over Financial and Taxpayer Data. GAO-15-337: Published: Mar 19, 2015.