Open Recommendations

We recommend the Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology implement improved processes to ensure compliance with VA password policy and security configuration baselines on domain controllers, operating systems, databases, application, and network devices.

We recommended the Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology ensure established change control procedures are consistently followed for testing and approval of system changes for VA applications and networks.

We recommended the Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology implement and consistently enforce established procedures for preventing and detecting potential unauthorized changes across all platforms and applications in the environment.

We recommended the Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology ensure that all systems and platforms are monitored for compliance with documented VA standards for baseline configurations. Ensure that system owners consistently implement and monitor their configurations.

We recommended the Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology implement automated software management processes on all agency platforms to identify and prevent the use of unauthorized software on agency devices.

We recommended the Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology implement improved procedures for establishing, documenting, and monitoring an accurate software and logical hardware inventory for system boundaries across the enterprise.

We recommended the Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology implement improved processes for monitoring and analyzing significant system audit events for unauthorized or unusual activities across all systems and platforms in accordance with VA policy. Ensure privileged activity is monitored on all systems and applications.

We recommended the Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology enable system audit logs on all critical systems and platforms and conduct centralized reviews of security violations across the enterprise.

We recommended the Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology implement improved mechanisms to continuously identify and remediate security deficiencies on VAs network infrastructure, database platforms, and Web application servers in accordance with established policy timeframes. If patches cannot be applied or are unavailable, other protections or mitigations should be documented and implemented to address the specific risks.

We recommended the Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology continue to implement improved segmentation controls that restrict vulnerable medical devices from unnecessary access from the general network.

We recommended the Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology implement improved processes to require system owners and management to provide adequate credentials to ensure security scans are authenticated to end devices where feasible and the subsequent vulnerabilities are remediated in a timely manner.

We recommended the Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology improve the process for tracking and resolving vulnerabilities that cannot be addressed by enterprise processes within policy timeframes. Implement mitigations for identified security deficiencies by applying security patches, system software updates, or configuration changes to reduce applicable security risks.

OIG recommends that the Peace Corps amend or modify its relevant policies, procedures, and forms to incorporate the required anti-gag provision.

We recommend the Vice President, Chief Information and Digital Officer, Information Technology, implement controls to prevent and detect disallowed cloud services procured outside of the IT procurement process, in conjunction with TVA Supply Chain and TVA Financial Services personnel.

We recommend the Vice President, Chief Information and Digital Officer, Information Technology, update the cloud inventory reconciliation process to include other data sources of cloud services procured or in use to improve cloud inventory completeness.

We recommend the Vice President, Chief Information and Digital Officer, Information Technology, review and update the cloud inventory as appropriate.

We recommend the Vice President, Chief Information and Digital Officer, Information Technology, implement a periodic process to identify and update blank required fields to improve cloud inventory accuracy.

The facility director ensures leaders provide a safe and clean environment of care for veterans, including having adequate staff to clean floors, protecting patient information, and ensuring food is dated and has not expired.

Ensure the WBSD submits its FY 2023 single audit and develops and implements policies and procedures to ensure timely completion and submission of all single audit reporting packages to the Federal Audit Clearinghouse within the required timeframe.

Coordinate with the WBSD to develop policies and procedures to properly categorize and track grant expenditures in the appropriate budget categories in accordance with the DOJ Grants Financial Guide and initiate a GAM if a budget modification reallocates funds to unapproved cost categories or if a proposed change exceeds 10 percent of the total award.

Ensure the WBSD develops and implements written policies and procedures for maintaining complete property records and conducting required physical inventory on equipment.

Ensure the WBSD adds existing federally funded equipment into the improved property management system.

Ensure the WBSD develops and implements written policies and procedures to ensure grant match requirements are met and properly tracked.

Require the WBSD to develop and implement written policies and procedures to ensure accurate and timely FFR submissions.

Ensure outstanding federal financial reporting is submitted.