❓ WA Parliamentary Question reveals varying levels of ICT compatibility across government departments, with some still using unsupported software like Windows XP and older Internet Explorer versions, posing potential security risks. Many departments are aware and taking steps to mitigate these risks.
AnsweredQoN 5977Legislative 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
16 November 2016
Response time
29 days
Public Sector Commission
(a) Yes.
(b) Zero.
(c) Zero.
(d) The Commission does not use any Microsoft software that is unsupported.
(e) Yes, the Commission and DPC work closely to ensure our systems are secure.
Department of the Premier and Cabinet
(a) No
(b) 10
(c) Nil
(d) None
(e) Yes
ChemCentre
(a) No
(b) 61
(c) 65
(d) To accomplish ChemCentre business requirements, some computers connected to or involved in the processing of data from specialist scientific hardware eg analytical equipment, run legacy and unsupported Operating Systems including Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 2000 and Windows XP. This is due to limitations of the hardware and/or software requirements of these systems. The risks of running legacy/unsupported platforms are being mitigated by several controls including client based antivirus software, advanced firewall protection mechanisms (including Intrusion Prevention systems, anti-virus and anti-malware) and staff education. Further controls are being assessed to limit internet access to these hosts based on findings of a recent Office of the Auditor General Information Systems audit.
(e) ChemCentre is aware of the advice from the Australian Signals Directorate on strategies to mitigate targeted cyber intrusions and has recently performed an assessment of the recommended control mechanisms. Control strategies that were previously not employed or were not in line with the recommendations have now been implemented or are in the planning stages for further mitigation. ChemCentre is also finalising plans for the migration of systems to supported platforms.
On behalf of Gold Corporation and its subsidiaries:
(a) All computers are currently utilising supported Microsoft software, with the exception of one application that is currently being replaced.
(b) Nil.
(c) No.
(d) The privacy risk for the Corporation is minimised and managed by ensuring that only currently supported software is deployed, that critical updates and security patches are kept updated and regular vulnerability testing is executed and actioned.
(e) No.
Lotterywest Response:
(a) In most instances, Lotterywest's computers are running supported Microsoft software. It is planned to upgrade all desktop computers to Windows 10 by 14 November 2016.
(b) Lotterywest has two physical and five virtual computers running unsupported Microsoft software (Windows XP). These have been assessed for risk and appropriate measures put in place. It is planned to replace all Windows XP computers by 14 November 2016.
(c) Lotterywest has 250 desktop computers and 65 notebook computers currently using IE10 or greater (ie IE11). Lotterywest will upgrade all desktop computers to IE11 on Windows 10 (as a minimum) by 14 November 2016.
(d) Lotterywest's privacy risk arising from using unsupported Microsoft software has been assessed by external auditors as low.
(e) Lotterywest is aware of the potential risks running unsupported software. Lotterywest's corporate website does not support any Microsoft browser lower than IE10 and remote desktop access to corporate data is controlled to ensure only supported applications gain access to information.
Salaries and Allowances Tribunal
(a) Yes.
(b) Nil.
(c) Nil.
(d) N/A as Microsoft software used by the Department is supported.
(e) N/A.
Rottnest Island Authority
(a) Desktop software (excluding Internet Explorer) – Yes: Operating Systems – No (see “b”).
(b) 12 (Virtual machines) to support retiring legacy systems.
(c) 107 (65%).
(d) Minimal – strong control methods are in place.
(e) Yes.
Tourism Western Australia
(a) Yes.
(b) Nil.
(c) Three (3), but they are not used for operational purposes.
(d) Not applicable.
(e) No.
(a) Yes.
(b) Zero.
(c) Zero.
(d) The Commission does not use any Microsoft software that is unsupported.
(e) Yes, the Commission and DPC work closely to ensure our systems are secure.
Department of the Premier and Cabinet
(a) No
(b) 10
(c) Nil
(d) None
(e) Yes
ChemCentre
(a) No
(b) 61
(c) 65
(d) To accomplish ChemCentre business requirements, some computers connected to or involved in the processing of data from specialist scientific hardware eg analytical equipment, run legacy and unsupported Operating Systems including Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 2000 and Windows XP. This is due to limitations of the hardware and/or software requirements of these systems. The risks of running legacy/unsupported platforms are being mitigated by several controls including client based antivirus software, advanced firewall protection mechanisms (including Intrusion Prevention systems, anti-virus and anti-malware) and staff education. Further controls are being assessed to limit internet access to these hosts based on findings of a recent Office of the Auditor General Information Systems audit.
(e) ChemCentre is aware of the advice from the Australian Signals Directorate on strategies to mitigate targeted cyber intrusions and has recently performed an assessment of the recommended control mechanisms. Control strategies that were previously not employed or were not in line with the recommendations have now been implemented or are in the planning stages for further mitigation. ChemCentre is also finalising plans for the migration of systems to supported platforms.
On behalf of Gold Corporation and its subsidiaries:
(a) All computers are currently utilising supported Microsoft software, with the exception of one application that is currently being replaced.
(b) Nil.
(c) No.
(d) The privacy risk for the Corporation is minimised and managed by ensuring that only currently supported software is deployed, that critical updates and security patches are kept updated and regular vulnerability testing is executed and actioned.
(e) No.
Lotterywest Response:
(a) In most instances, Lotterywest's computers are running supported Microsoft software. It is planned to upgrade all desktop computers to Windows 10 by 14 November 2016.
(b) Lotterywest has two physical and five virtual computers running unsupported Microsoft software (Windows XP). These have been assessed for risk and appropriate measures put in place. It is planned to replace all Windows XP computers by 14 November 2016.
(c) Lotterywest has 250 desktop computers and 65 notebook computers currently using IE10 or greater (ie IE11). Lotterywest will upgrade all desktop computers to IE11 on Windows 10 (as a minimum) by 14 November 2016.
(d) Lotterywest's privacy risk arising from using unsupported Microsoft software has been assessed by external auditors as low.
(e) Lotterywest is aware of the potential risks running unsupported software. Lotterywest's corporate website does not support any Microsoft browser lower than IE10 and remote desktop access to corporate data is controlled to ensure only supported applications gain access to information.
Salaries and Allowances Tribunal
(a) Yes.
(b) Nil.
(c) Nil.
(d) N/A as Microsoft software used by the Department is supported.
(e) N/A.
Rottnest Island Authority
(a) Desktop software (excluding Internet Explorer) – Yes: Operating Systems – No (see “b”).
(b) 12 (Virtual machines) to support retiring legacy systems.
(c) 107 (65%).
(d) Minimal – strong control methods are in place.
(e) Yes.
Tourism Western Australia
(a) Yes.
(b) Nil.
(c) Three (3), but they are not used for operational purposes.
(d) Not applicable.
(e) No.
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