An inspector general audit has raised concerns about the Postal Service’s continuity of IT operations plans–called Functional Workgroup Annex plans–saying they were not current at some of the IT locations examined (because of the sensitive nature of the topic some details were redacted, including how many and which locations were examined).
Postal management “did not annually review, update, and test the FWGA plans” and the plans “were also incomplete and missing key requirements such as identifying critical information system assets, alternative telecommunications services, and procedures for using alternative processing sites that are not susceptible to the same threats as the primary location,” it said.
Also, it said, management did not sufficiently train the employees who execute the existing plans and did not define how the plans are to be managed.
“Without current, complete, and tested FWGA plans, the Postal Service will not be able to effectively support essential information system resources and services during an event that disrupts normal operations. In addition, a lack of training would result in Postal Service personnel not having the skills required to support essential functions during a continuity event,” it said.
USPS responded that efforts are underway to determine which functions are essential, and that the FWGA plans will be updated.
