The Audit Connection Blog
What do hackers want? Anything they can take from your government
Keeping information safe and secure isn’t a new challenge for governments, but the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced governments to quickly shift to online or hybrid workplaces, has made the job tougher. If you haven’t had time to update your cybersecurity policies in light of the shift to remote and hybrid work, we offer four steps you can take now to better protect your government against cyberattacks. ... CONTINUE READING
External peer review finds SAO’s quality controls system, audit procedures meet professional standards
The Office of the Washington State Auditor has passed its external peer review, a rigorous independent examination of the Office’s quality control system and audit work conducted every three years. ... CONTINUE READING
SAO’s Janel Roper named among Washington’s top state managers
Janel Roper, the Office of the Washington State Auditor’s Director of Administrative Services, is a 2022 recipient of the Governor’s Award for Leadership in Management. The annual award recognizes extraordinary leadership in state government in the previous year. ... CONTINUE READING
BARS coding for revenue received from state opioid lawsuit
Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced Oct. 3 that 125 local governments in Washington will receive $215 million under a resolution with three companies found responsible for fueling the opioid epidemic. ... CONTINUE READING
What exactly is a data breach?
While breaches at large companies often dominate the headlines, cybercriminals are also hacking local and state governments, public and private universities, and school districts. We’ve put together some helpful information on what data breaches are and the steps you should take if you suspect or know you have experienced one. ... CONTINUE READING
Cybersecurity is everyone’s job, including yours
When it comes to thwarting cybercrime, everyone in your government has a role to play. Here are a few key best practices that you and your employees can implement today to protect your government. ... CONTINUE READING
A Message from State Auditor Pat McCarthy
State Auditor Pat McCarthy discusses how the Auditor's Office has been working to maintain and even increase government accountability during the coronavirus pandemic. ... CONTINUE READING
A message from State Auditor Pat McCarthy: See yourself in cyber
Whether you work for a local government that provides frontline emergency services or an agency that handles sensitive information like personal or financial records, you have an important role in cybersecurity. ... CONTINUE READING
State Auditor’s Office releases first audits of police use of deadly force investigations
Today the Office of the Washington State Auditor released two first-of-their-kind audits related to law enforcement officers’ use of deadly force. The reports compare the investigations of such incidents to state rules and professional best practices. ... CONTINUE READING
Director Armijo honored with Award of Excellence from Washington Finance Officers Association
Sadie Armijo, the Office of the Washington State Auditor’s Director of State Audit and Special Investigations, received the 2022 Award of Excellence from the Washington Finance Officers Association (WFOA). ... CONTINUE READING