U.S. Department of State Fiscal Year 2019 Agency Financial Report

As part of the Under Secretary’s High Five priority of Excellence & Innovation, OBO aims to utilize technology to enhance capabilities across all phases of a facility’s lifecycle. OBO is piloting software currently utilized in the private sector to reduce the use of hard-copy commissioning documents. OBO has invited external experts to review capabilities, compatibility with other platforms, and technical security requirements. OBO also is updating the commissioning task order statement of work template to include language about routinely uploading hard-copy commissioning performance tests and related documentation. Regarding the OIG’s review of the Camp Eggers construction project, the Department concurs with the OIG’s recommenda- tion that it should develop a policy identifying the specific circumstances under which the construction clause in the Worldwide Protective Services should be used. The Department acknowledges that, when it embarks upon new construction projects to support embassy operations, close intra-Bureau coordination is required to ensure all considerations for housing and supporting infrastructure for a security program are met. Overseeing Grants and Foreign Assistance Programs In its report, the OIG referenced its special evaluation of the Antiterrorism Assistance Explosive Detection Canine Program , and the insufficient policies and standards governing this program. The Department has taken significant strides to address the deficiencies outlined in the report. Diplomatic Security’s Office of Antiterrorism Assistance has resolved the majority of the recommendations in the OIG’s report, addressing issues through written policy adjustments and new guidelines. For example, the Department is establishing planned health and welfare visits, and a new requirement for host nations to sign care guidelines before the canines are delivered. In addition, Diplomatic Security, in conjunction with the Bureau of Counterterrorism, is developing a sustainability plan for the dogs serving in Jordan.  3  I nformation S ecurity and M anagement Information Security and Management combines two of Management’s High Five priorities, Security & Infrastructure and Technology. Protecting the Department’s information and keeping up with technological advances go hand-in-hand. The Security & Infrastructure priority focuses on enhancing and better connecting cybersecurity efforts, including enterprise cyber risk management, as well as leveraging IT and intelligence to improve safety and security of operations. The Technology priority seeks to modernize the Department with a mission-first, field-first focus, including: ■ ■ Working with bureaus to capture their strategic and operating intent in sufficient detail to drive IT decision making; ■ ■ Aligning IT programs, staffing, and funding to deliver on prioritized roadmap; ■ ■ Establishing common architecture to address common concerns; and ■ ■ Ensuring systems are reliable, especially command and control circuits. The Department has taken steps to address its information security program, as noted in the 2019 OIG Federal Information Security Management Act report. For example, the Department has taken steps to revise its Cybersecurity Risk Management Strategy in 2019, addressing recommendations issued in the Audit of the Department of State Information Security Program . 128 | U nited S tates D epartment of S tate 2019 A gency F inancial R eport OTHER INFORMATION | MANAGEMENT’S RESPONSE TO INSPECTOR GENERAL