State Police address FOID, cyber security audit findings

Spread the love

(The Center Square) – As his agency works to correct compliance findings by the state’s auditor general, Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly says Firearm Owner’s Identification Card backlogs have been eliminated and processing times have improved.

Kelly appeared before the Legislative Audit Commission and addressed findings that his department did not comply with FOID Act requirements.

Courtney Dzierwa of the Auditor General’s Office said renewal fees were deposited into the wrong fund, and ISP was late to provide notification of expiring cards in some cases.

“We recommended the department ensure notifications to FOID card holders are sent in a timely manner and ensure fees are deposited in accordance with the act,” Dzierwa said.

Kelly said the FOID system has been modernized and the backlog has been eliminated.

“The average processing time now for a new FOID card is 14 days, and that’s well below the statutory limitation,” Kelly said.

Dzierwa said the auditor’s most recent examination had 32 findings, but no new material weaknesses and an overall reduction of weaknesses.

State Sen. Laura Ellman, D-Naperville, expressed concern about an audit finding that ISP did not maintain adequate security controls over computer systems to safeguard confidential information.

“That’s a big red flag for me, so I’d like you to talk to me about what you’ve done to remediate,” Ellman said.

Kelly said ISP uses software from 35 different vendors.

“We’re pretty close to having all the vendors now meeting the requirements we expect from all of them in terms of their cyber security requirements, the agreements that they have in order to do business with the Illinois State Police,” Kelly said.

Kelly said his office has been more aggressive in training workers to not respond to phishing emails.

“It’s concerning that you see smart, intelligent people that will click on something that they shouldn’t,” Kelly said.

###

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

U.S. debt tops 100% of GDP, 'deeply troubling' for economy, national security

U.S. debt tops 100% of GDP, ‘deeply troubling’ for economy, national security

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The U.S. national debt is now larger than the entire American economy and is only set to keep growing, further exacerbating the affordability crisis and...
school board monroe elementary

Erupting Volcanoes, Culinary Creations, and Caterpillars Highlight Casey-Westfield Spring Academics

Article Summary: The Casey-Westfield Board of Education reviewed highly detailed academic reports highlighting a surge of hands-on learning experiences across the district, ranging from explosive 6th-grade science experiments to intricate high...

U.S. troops in Italy, Spain hang in balance as troop reduction in Germany announced

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square On the heels of President Donald Trump threatening to reduce troops in Europe, the Department of War announced Friday the reduction of 5,000 troops from...
Federal appeals court halts access to mail-order abortion drug

Federal appeals court halts access to mail-order abortion drug

By Dan McCalebThe Center Square A federal appeals court on Friday temporarily halted a Biden-era rule that allowed individuals to receive the abortion pill mifepristone through the mail without a...
Labor unions back McCormick’s plan to reform federal permitting

Labor unions back McCormick’s plan to reform federal permitting

By John ColeThe Center Square In a rare show of solidarity, building trade unions and U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick, R-Pa., want to streamline the federal permitting process so that projects...
Court-ordered tariff refunds bypass consumers who paid

Court-ordered tariff refunds bypass consumers who paid

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The Trump administration has begun returning $166 billion in tariff refunds, launching a new portal for U.S. importers to claim their money back, but consumers...
Casey Westfield Baseball Graphic

Late Three-Run Surge Propels Casey-Westfield Baseball Past Marshall, 6-3

A pivotal three-run rally in the bottom of the sixth inning lifted the Casey-Westfield varsity baseball team to a 6-3 conference victory over visiting Marshall on Thursday. In a tightly...
Casey Westfield Softball Graphic

Gustafson Strikes Out 11 as Marshall Softball Defeats Casey-Westfield 4-1

Junior pitcher Kyla Gustafson delivered a dominant performance in the circle, striking out 11 batters to lead the Marshall varsity softball team to a 4-1 conference victory over host Casey-Westfield...
Professor: Surging gas prices will have long-term effects

Professor: Surging gas prices will have long-term effects

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A University of Chicago professor says the effects of high gas prices will ripple through the economy...
Illinois Quick Hits: DHS says ICE captures child sex abuser released by Illinois DOC

Illinois Quick Hits: DHS says ICE captures child sex abuser released by Illinois DOC

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security says U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers have arrested a Guatemalan...
Durbin calls probe ‘sham’; state lawmaker backs transparency

Durbin calls probe ‘sham’; state lawmaker backs transparency

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois state lawmaker is voicing strong support for a federal investigation into dozens of school...
Lawmen believe trip from Carolinas to Washington a threat to Trump

Lawmen believe trip from Carolinas to Washington a threat to Trump

By Alan WootenThe Center Square An Army veteran lawmen believed was going to travel from the Carolinas to Washington in an attempt to kill President Donald Trump will be in...
Trump threatens new EU auto taxes that could drive up prices

Trump threatens new EU auto taxes that could drive up prices

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump threatened to raise tariffs on European Union cars and trucks to 25%, accusing the EU of violating a trade agreement the bloc...
Independent tax tribunal faces elimination by Pritzker budget proposal

Independent tax tribunal faces elimination by Pritzker budget proposal

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The chief judge of the Illinois Independent Tax Tribunal says it will be bad for taxpayers if...
States consider drones to stop school shootings

States consider drones to stop school shootings

By Ella DawsonThe Center Square The first drones intended to stop school shootings from Campus Guardian Angel are set to go live Friday at Deltona High School. Florida’s legislature has...