Finding 1213881 (2025-006)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2026-05-06
Audit: 400711
Organization: Vandercook College of Music (IL)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The College lacks a formal Written Information Security Program (WISP) required by the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA).
  • Impacted Requirements: The GLBA mandates specific elements for WISPs, which the College failed to implement since June 9, 2023.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: The University should review GLBA requirements and update their WISP to include all necessary elements to protect student information.

Finding Text

Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program Title: Student Financial Assistance Cluster ALN Numbers: 84.063, 84.007, 84.033, 84.268, 84.379 Award Period: August 1, 2024 through July 31, 2025 Type of Finding: • Significant Deficiency in Internal Control Over Compliance • Other Matters Criteria or Specific Requirement: The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) requires financial institutions to explain their information-sharing practices to their customers and to safeguard sensitive data (16 CFR 314). Institutions are required to develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive information security program that is written in one or more readily accessible parts. The regulations require the written information security program to include nine elements for institutions with 5,000 or more customers, (16 CFR 314.3(a)). The written information security program (WISP) for institutions with fewer than 5,000 customers must address seven elements (16 CFR 314.3(a) and 16 CFR 314.6). The elements that an institution must address in its written information security program are at 16 CFR 314.4. At a minimum, the institution’s written information security program must address the implementation of the minimum safeguards identified in 16 CFR 314.4(c)(1) through (8) including: Assess apps developed by the institution. In addition, the written security program provides for the institution to regularly test or otherwise monitor the effectiveness of the safeguards it has implemented (16 CFR 314.4(d)). Condition: During our testing, we noted the College did not have a formal Written Information Security Program (WISP) in place during the period under audit. Questioned Costs: None Context: These new GLBA requirements were applicable beginning on June 9, 2023 and the College did not have a formal WISP in place. Cause: There was not a formal process in place to review against all the new GLBA requirements to ensure compliance. Effect: Student personal information could be vulnerable. Repeat Finding: No Recommendation: We recommend that the University review the updated GLBA requirements and ensure their WISP includes all required elements. Views of Responsible Officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.

Corrective Action Plan

Student Financial Assistance Cluster – Assistance Listing No. 84.063, 84.268, 84.033, 84.007, and 84.379 Recommendation: We recommend that the College review the GLBA requirements and ensure their WISP includes all required elements. Explanation of disagreement with audit finding: There is no disagreement with the audit finding. Action taken in response to finding: The colleges IT department is currently working on ensuring the WISP does include all elements that are required. IMplemention and completion will be conducted and completed for FY26. Name(s) of the contact person(s) responsible for corrective action: Mo Darwish Planned completion date for corrective action plan: July 2026

Categories

Significant Deficiency Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1213872 2025-005
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1213873 2025-005
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1213874 2025-005
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1213875 2025-005
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1213876 2025-005
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1213877 2025-006
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1213878 2025-006
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1213879 2025-006
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1213880 2025-006
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.268 FEDERAL DIRECT STUDENT LOANS $517,434
84.063 FEDERAL PELL GRANT PROGRAM $240,826
84.033 FEDERAL WORK-STUDY PROGRAM $12,712
84.007 FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY GRANTS $10,703
84.379 TEACHER EDUCATION ASSISTANCE FOR COLLEGE AND HIGHER EDUCATION GRANTS (TEACH GRANTS) $7,544