Computer system that detected massive government data breach could itself be at ‘high risk,’ audit finds

The computer upgrade that federal officials tout as having detected -- although not prevented -- a massive breach of information on federal employees is itself at high risk of failure, according to a new internal audit. The independent inspector general’s office within the Office of Personnel Management is conducting a thorough review of the upgrade but issued a “flash audit alert” to top agency leaders “to bring to your immediate attention serious concerns we have” that require “immediate action.” “There is a high risk that this project will fail to meet the objectives of providing a secure operating environment for OPM systems and applications,” the alert says. The release of the IG’s audit comes as Congress is set to hold three more hearings the week of June 22 on the issue and amid growing calls for more disclosure and accountability from OPM.