B.C. manages cybersecurity risks posed by staff working from home: audit

VICTORIA — British Columbia’s auditor general says the government has effective tools in place to manage cybersecurity risks that could arise from an increase in public service employees working from home during the pandemic. 

Michael Pickup says an audit found the government’s office of the chief information officer has implemented policies, procedures, standards, training and guidance to protect sensitive data.

He says the number of government employees working from home increased twentyfold during the pandemic, adding to potential cybersecurity risks as employees and contractors access government data remotely.

The audit concludes the office of the chief information officer has increased its cybersecurity risk protections by using encryption-protected data and measures that prevent unauthorized users from accessing stored government data.