The Times of India 29.10.2013
Pune Municipal Corporation plans audit of IT network
PUNE: The civic administration has planned a cyber audit of its entire network to make its information technology systems safe and hack proof.
"This is the first time such a comprehensive audit will be carried out in the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). The network system, internet network and system applications will be assessed. The aim of the project is to protect and enhance data security. The project also aims to guide the civic administration to make the computer system hack proof," an official from the civic IT department told TOI on the condition of anonymity.
The official added that the auditors will study 120 locations from where the computer systems operate. The 40 server rooms will also be scanned in the process. "Key establishments, including ward offices, hospitals and important PMC offices will be assessed. International experts accredited to carry out such operations will work on the project," he said.
The PMC also plans to have a cyber security audit system in place to curb misuse and avoid inaccuracies in its online services. The civic administration has tabled a proposal before the standing committee, seeking approval to allocate the audit work order worth Rs 67.41 lakh to a private IT agency. The proposal will come up before the standing committee on Tuesday.
A cyber security audit is a review and analysis of management, operational, and technical controls. The auditor can obtain valuable information about activity on a computer system from the audit trace. It will provide solutions to help accomplish several security-related objectives, including individual accountability, reconstruction of events (actions that happen on a computer system), intrusion detection, and problem analysis according to the PMC.
The official added that the agency will have to carry out an audit of online issuance of birth and death certificates, water billing, property tax assessment and collection system, building permission, Auto DCR system, e-tenders and local body tax systems. Following the audit, the department concerned will carry out the necessary changes and update their computer system as per the recommendations of the audit report.
The PMC is implementing an e-governance project under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission. As part of the project, it plans to provide online services where citizens can get birth and death certificates, water bills, property tax documents and building permission online. The civic body wants an audit system in place to make the service flawless.
