❓ A WA parliamentary question reveals varying levels of outdated Microsoft software usage across government departments and agencies, raising potential security and privacy concerns. Some departments still use Windows XP and older Internet Explorer versions.
AnsweredQoN 5970Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to ICT
compatibility in relation to the Digital WA strategy, and ask for each
department and agency under your control: (a) are all computers currently utilising Microsoft
software that is supported by Microsoft (only versions since 2014); (b) how many computers are currently using Windows
XP; (c) how many computers are currently using Internet
Explorer version 10 (IE10) or older; (d) what is the privacy risk for your departments
and agencies for using software that is no longer supported by Microsoft; and (e) have you been made aware of the potential for
information to be externally accessed by your departments using software no
longer supported by Microsoft?
compatibility in relation to the Digital WA strategy, and ask for each
department and agency under your control: (a) are all computers currently utilising Microsoft
software that is supported by Microsoft (only versions since 2014); (b) how many computers are currently using Windows
XP; (c) how many computers are currently using Internet
Explorer version 10 (IE10) or older; (d) what is the privacy risk for your departments
and agencies for using software that is no longer supported by Microsoft; and (e) have you been made aware of the potential for
information to be externally accessed by your departments using software no
longer supported by Microsoft?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
30 November 2016
Responded by
Minister representing the Attorney General; Minister for Commerce
Response time
43 days
Corruption and Crime Commission (a) Yes, all computers utilise Microsoft software currently supported by Microsoft. (b) Nil (c) No computers are using Internet Explorer version 10 or older. (d)-(e) N/A.
Commissioner for Children and Young People (a) Yes (b)-(c) Nil (d)-(e) N/A
Department of Commerce (a) At present all of the Department of Commerce computers are running Microsoft versions older than 2014. (b) Three. (c) 15. (d) The risk level is minor as the Department of Commerce has implemented strategies to secure its systems. (e) Yes.
Department of the Attorney General (a) Yes for all of the Department’s personal computer fleet. (b) 23 (c) 384 (d)-(e) N/A Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (a) No. (b) Nil (c) 24. (d) Low. (e) Yes.
Equal Opportunity Commission (a) Yes. (b)-(c) Nil (d) N/A (e) No
Office of the Information Commissioner (a) Yes (b)-(c) Nil (d) N/A (e) Yes
Legal Aid (a) Yes (b)-(c) Nil (d) Legal Aid WA is not using software that is no longer supported by Microsoft. (e) Legal Aid WA has been made aware of this risk.
Legal Practice Board of Western Australia; and Legal Profession Complaints Committee (a) All computers are currently utilising Microsoft software that is supported by Microsoft (only versions since 2014), with the exception of a single PC running Windows XP. (b) There is one computer still in use running Windows XP, however this will be replaced within the next month. All other computers and laptops loaded with Windows XP are not in use and are in preparation to be disposed. (c) There are no computers or laptops currently using Internet Explorer version 10 (IE10) or older. (d) As the Board is not utilising any software that is no longer supported by Microsoft, there is no privacy risk for our organisation in this regard. (e) Yes.
State Solicitor’s Office; and Solicitor General’s Office (a) No (b) 3 (c) 250 (d) Risk is estimated to be low. (e) Yes
The Department of the Registrar, WA Industrial Relations Commission (a) Yes (b)-(c) Nil (d) N/A (e) Yes
WorkCover (a) Yes (b)-(c) Nil (d)-(e) N/A
Commissioner for Children and Young People (a) Yes (b)-(c) Nil (d)-(e) N/A
Department of Commerce (a) At present all of the Department of Commerce computers are running Microsoft versions older than 2014. (b) Three. (c) 15. (d) The risk level is minor as the Department of Commerce has implemented strategies to secure its systems. (e) Yes.
Department of the Attorney General (a) Yes for all of the Department’s personal computer fleet. (b) 23 (c) 384 (d)-(e) N/A Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (a) No. (b) Nil (c) 24. (d) Low. (e) Yes.
Equal Opportunity Commission (a) Yes. (b)-(c) Nil (d) N/A (e) No
Office of the Information Commissioner (a) Yes (b)-(c) Nil (d) N/A (e) Yes
Legal Aid (a) Yes (b)-(c) Nil (d) Legal Aid WA is not using software that is no longer supported by Microsoft. (e) Legal Aid WA has been made aware of this risk.
Legal Practice Board of Western Australia; and Legal Profession Complaints Committee (a) All computers are currently utilising Microsoft software that is supported by Microsoft (only versions since 2014), with the exception of a single PC running Windows XP. (b) There is one computer still in use running Windows XP, however this will be replaced within the next month. All other computers and laptops loaded with Windows XP are not in use and are in preparation to be disposed. (c) There are no computers or laptops currently using Internet Explorer version 10 (IE10) or older. (d) As the Board is not utilising any software that is no longer supported by Microsoft, there is no privacy risk for our organisation in this regard. (e) Yes.
State Solicitor’s Office; and Solicitor General’s Office (a) No (b) 3 (c) 250 (d) Risk is estimated to be low. (e) Yes
The Department of the Registrar, WA Industrial Relations Commission (a) Yes (b)-(c) Nil (d) N/A (e) Yes
WorkCover (a) Yes (b)-(c) Nil (d)-(e) N/A
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