Information systems audit report

Applications are software programs that facilitate an organisation’s key business processes. Typical administrative processes dependent on software applications include finance, human resources, licensing and billing. Applications also facilitate specialist functions that are peculiar and essential to individual entities. Each year we review a selection of key applications that agencies rely on to deliver services. Our focus is the application controls designed to ensure the complete and accurate processing of data from input to output. Failings or weaknesses in these controls have the potential to directly impact other organisations and the public. Impacts range from delays in service to possible fraudulent activity and financial loss.&nbsp

Management of marine parks and reserves

The Western Australian (WA) coastline spans over 12,500 kilometres and has some of the most unique and biodiverse marine environments in the world. This includes the renowned Kimberley coast in the north, the world heritage areas of Ningaloo Reef and Shark Bay on the Gascoyne coast, the South West Capes and the southern coastline into the Great Australian Bight. Just over 90% of Western Australians live within 50 kilometres of the coast and our coastal areas support a diverse and sometimes competing range of recreational and commercial activities. Since the introduction of the CALM Act, 16 MPRs have been established covering about 2.5 million hectares or nearly 20% of WA’s coastal waters: 13 marine parks to provide for the conservation and restoration of the natural environment, the protection of indigenous flora and fauna, and preservation of features of archaeological, historic or scientific interest. Marine parks also provide for recreational and commercial use where these activities do not compromise conservation values 1 marine nature reserve for conservation and scientific research. Although low-impact tourism may be permitted, no recreational or commercial fishing, aquaculture, pearling, petroleum drilling or production is allowed in these areas 2 marine management areas that manage and protect the marine environment so that it may be used for conservation, recreational, scientific and commercial purposes. MPRs in WA state waters start at the coast and extend 5.5 kilometres from shore. In 2014-15 DPaW and DoF spent around $12.8 million on establishing and managing MPRs

Low back pain in 17 year olds has substantial impact and represents an important public health disorder: a cross-sectional study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Prevalence of low back pain (LBP) rises rapidly during adolescence, reaching adult levels by the age of 18. It has been suggested that adolescent LBP is benign with minimal impact, despite limited evidence.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of LBP and the influence of chronicity, gender and presence of other spinal pain comorbidities at age 17. Subjects (n = 1283) were categorised according to experiencing current and chronic LBP, gender and presence of other areas of spinal pain. LBP impact was ascertained via questions regarding seeking professional assistance, using medication, missing school/work, limited normal or recreational physical activity and health related quality of life (HRQOL).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>12.3% of participants reported current but not chronic LBP, while 19.9% reported current chronic LBP. LBP was more commonly reported by females than males. Other spinal pain comorbidities were common in the LBP groups. Impact was greater in subjects with chronic LBP, in females and in those with other spinal pain comorbidities.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>LBP, and particularly chronic LBP, has a significant negative impact at 17 years. It is commonly associated with care seeking, medication use, school absenteeism, and reduced HRQOL. These findings support that adolescent LBP is an important public health issue that requires attention.</p

Government data does not mean data governance: Lessons learned from a public sector application audit

© 2015 Elsevier Inc. Public sector agencies routinely store large volumes of information about individuals in the community. The storage and analysis of this information benefits society, as it enables relevant agencies to make better informed decisions and to address the individual's needs more appropriately. Members of the public often assume that the authorities are well equipped to handle personal data; however, due to implementation errors and lack of data governance, this is not always the case. This paper reports on an audit conducted in Western Australia, focusing on findings in the Police Firearms Management System and the Department of Health Information System. In the case of the Police, the audit revealed numerous data protection issues leading the auditors to report that they had no confidence in the accuracy of information on the number of people licensed to possess firearms or the number of licensed firearms. Similarly alarming conclusions were drawn in the Department of Health as auditors found that they could not determine which medical staff member was responsible for clinical data entries made. The paper describes how these issues often do not arise from existing business rules or the technology itself, but a lack of sound data governance. Finally, a discussion section presents key data governance principles and best practices that may guide practitioners involved in data management. These cases highlight the very real data management concerns, and the associated recommendations provide the context to spark further interest in the applied aspects of data protection