Finding Text
Federal agency: Department of Education
Federal program title: Student Financial Aid Cluster
Assistance Listing Number: 84.033, 84.063, 84.007, 84.379, 84.268
Federal Award Identification Number and Year: P033A223771 (CWS 22‐23), P063P220377 (Pell 22‐23), P007A223771 (SEOG 22‐23), P379T230377 (Teach 22‐23), P268K230377 (Direct Loan 2023)
Award Period: July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023
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)). Under an institution’s Program Participation Agreement with the Department of Education and the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA), schools must protect student financial aid information, with particular attention to information provided to institutions by the Department or otherwise obtained in support of the administration of the federal student financial aid programs.
Condition: The University was not in compliance with GLBA.
Questioned costs: None
Context: These new GLBA requirements were applicable beginning on June 9, 2023 and we identified that the organization does not meet the compliance requirements outlined in the GLBA Safeguards Rule. Specifically, discrepancies were identified in requirement B.3, pertaining to the implementation of periodic review and implementation of user access controls, encryption controls, the use of multi-factor authentication, and change management policy. Furthermore, it was noted that the written information security program (WISP) lacked any mention of penetration testing or vulnerability scans.
Cause: There was not a formal process in place to review against all the new GLBA requirements to ensure compliance.
Effect: The 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.