3 layers of security for Govt system

THE Finance Department will use a recovery plan to reconnect agencies onto the IFMS (integrated financial management system) next month once the public financial accounts have re-opened following a ransom ware attack in Oct, says secretary Dr Ken Ngangan.
Responding to queries from The National, Dr Ngangan said the department had restored the IFMS and introduced new security arrangements to protect access to the system.
“The finance system itself was not the subject of the attack but the servers that allowed access to the system were,” he said.
“This is now being re-built and tested with three layers of security.
“The department has also introduced more frequent backups and secure cybersecurity protocols in places for email and web browsing.
“This will be a phased reconnection based on the standard of security for those users being reconnected.
“Upgrades may be required for some locations where minimum requirements are not met.
“The Department of Finance will work with these agencies to identify the minimum compliance requirements.
“Systems are stable as Government moves to close its financial accounts for the end of the year.
“Final supplier invoices will be accepted until Dec 24 and claims will continue to be processed by the department until Dec 31.
“The department continues to work on improving overall cyber security and view this as an opportunity to look at its entire end-to-end information technology architecture and how best it can meet the needs of Government moving forward.”