❓ Question regarding ICT compatibility and security risks associated with outdated Microsoft software across various WA government departments and agencies under the Environment and Heritage portfolio. Reveals varying levels of outdated software usage and risk mitigation strategies.
AnsweredQoN 5969Legislative 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
15 November 2016
Responded by
Minister for Environment; Heritage
Response time
28 days
Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority
(a) No.
(b) One.
(c) 75. Software upgrades to Internet Explorer version 11 are in progress.
(d) Medium to High, with the risk being mitigated with software upgrades being completed soon.
(e) Yes.
Department of Environment Regulation
(a) No.
(b) Seven.
(c) Seven.
(d) Low risk. Only off-domain computers are running Windows XP or Internet Explorer 10 or earlier. These computers are kept for special purposes and do not connect to the corporate network and are not used as an Officer’s primary computer. The most common use is to connect to older monitoring equipment or to run software not compatible with Windows 7.
(e) Yes.
Department of Parks and Wildlife
(a) No.
(b) Nil.
(c) Three.
(d) The vast majority of the Department of Parks and Wildlife’s software versions are supported by Microsoft. The risks (including privacy risks) associated with the exceptions outlined in responses (a) and (c) are being mitigated with the appropriate treatments based on the level of security risk.
(e) Yes.
Office of the Appeals Convenor
The Department of Environment Regulation administers this service for the Office of the Appeals Convenor.
Office of the Environmental Protection Authority
(a) No.
(b) Nil.
(c) 100.
(d) All software is supported by Microsoft, including some pre-2014 software that is under Microsoft extended support. All computers with Internet Explorer version 10 are currently being upgraded to version 11.
(e) Yes
State Heritage Office
(a) Yes.
(b)-(c) Nil.
(d)-(e) Not applicable.
Zoological Parks Authority (Perth Zoo)
(a) Yes.
(b)-(c) Nil.
(d)-(e) Not applicable.
(a) No.
(b) One.
(c) 75. Software upgrades to Internet Explorer version 11 are in progress.
(d) Medium to High, with the risk being mitigated with software upgrades being completed soon.
(e) Yes.
Department of Environment Regulation
(a) No.
(b) Seven.
(c) Seven.
(d) Low risk. Only off-domain computers are running Windows XP or Internet Explorer 10 or earlier. These computers are kept for special purposes and do not connect to the corporate network and are not used as an Officer’s primary computer. The most common use is to connect to older monitoring equipment or to run software not compatible with Windows 7.
(e) Yes.
Department of Parks and Wildlife
(a) No.
(b) Nil.
(c) Three.
(d) The vast majority of the Department of Parks and Wildlife’s software versions are supported by Microsoft. The risks (including privacy risks) associated with the exceptions outlined in responses (a) and (c) are being mitigated with the appropriate treatments based on the level of security risk.
(e) Yes.
Office of the Appeals Convenor
The Department of Environment Regulation administers this service for the Office of the Appeals Convenor.
Office of the Environmental Protection Authority
(a) No.
(b) Nil.
(c) 100.
(d) All software is supported by Microsoft, including some pre-2014 software that is under Microsoft extended support. All computers with Internet Explorer version 10 are currently being upgraded to version 11.
(e) Yes
State Heritage Office
(a) Yes.
(b)-(c) Nil.
(d)-(e) Not applicable.
Zoological Parks Authority (Perth Zoo)
(a) Yes.
(b)-(c) Nil.
(d)-(e) Not applicable.
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