Federal Reports

The Federal Information Security Management Act of 2002 (FISMA) provides a comprehensive framework for ensuring the effectiveness of technical, administrative, and physical security controls over federal information resources. FISMA requires an annual OIG evaluation of compliance with its requirements and related information security policies, procedures, standards, and guidelines -- as well as an assessment of the level of security afforded to associated information assets. The FTC OIG contracted with Allied Technology Group, Inc., to conduct an independent evaluation to determine the status of the FTC's information and privacy programs at the end of FY 2014, as required under FISMA and associated guidance.

During this period, we completed 35 investigations involving fraud or corruption related to the Department’s programs and operations, securing more than $54 million in settlements, fines, restitutions, recoveries, forfeitures, and savings. In addition, as a result of our investigative work, criminal actions were taken against a number of people, including school officials and service providers who cheated the students they were in positions to serve. We also issued 11 audit-related reports that contained recommendations to improve program operations, plus one report that highlighted good controls relating to the Pell grant eligibility limit.