ITWG Newsletter 1/2024
Message of the Chair
Dear Colleagues,
I am glad that you have taken some of your precious time to explore the ITWG newsletter. Digitalization of government services is a crucial topic for all supreme audit institutions. No matter the level of overall digitalization maturity of the country, there is always room for improvement. In fact – one may even say that while digitalization opens many doors, one also encounters multiple problems behind each door.
In our own recent IT audit, we found that in making services proactive and seamless for citizens, there are major legal and technical obstacles. We don’t even have legal clarity on basic questions – for example, how should a citizen consent to combining different datasets with his/her data – let alone technical issues arising from poor interoperability between these databases. I believe there are even more burning issues with states having much more beneficiaries and even more obsolete systems. Exchanging information regarding these challenges provides auditors an additional perspective and methods to approach digitalization in their own public sector ecosystem.
Digitalization is not just about developing nice front-end solutions using UX/UI best practices while continuing the old bureaucratic path „behind the screen“ – it requires a complex and holistic approach to the whole service provision design. Only when we verify the digital functioning of the whole service cycle, we can ensure its cost-effectiveness. Only when we verify the proper access management and other information security controls on the information system and database level, we can ensure the confidentiality, integrity and availability of the service.
We should be the taxpayer’s eyes “behind the screen” to ensure digitalization in the society is something more than a beautiful political slogan.
In this issue of the Newsletter, we see several use-cases on auditing digital service delivery from our members and partners from ARABOSAI region. The feature article by SAI Egypt showcases the role of digital transformation of a SAI that is a prerequisite to address the topics of digitalization in the society.
Looking at other articles in this issue, I am particularly glad to read about SAI Bulgaria’s first ICT audit on the Information System for Management and Monitoring of the funds from the European Structural and Investment Funds - while having some challenges, positive sides of its development are also pointed out. It is encouraging to see the cooperation triumph SAI Albania has described in their feature article with utilizing the know-how from SAI Norway – it truly shows the practical fruits of a long-term commitment.
I wish you pleasant reading and a beautiful summer!
Feature story from Albania: Digitalization of services - ALSAI
The Albanian Supreme Audit Institution (ALSAI) is pivotal in enhancing accountability and transparency within public governance at the national level. Aligned with the objectives outlined in the 2023-2027 Strategy, it has underscored that the achievement of success hinges upon its ability to influence the accountability and transparency framework, thereby contributing to the reinforcement of sustainable institutions.
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Feature story from ARABOSAI region - Egypt: Launching of a New Auditing Era through Modern Digital Systems in order to Preserve Public Funds
In light of the Modern Digital Egypt Initiative for preserving public funds, the Egyptian government adopted the Implementation of numerous digital transformation projects to develop the State’s public financial management. Among the most important of these projects are the following.
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BULGARIA: IT Audit of the Information System of the European Structural and Investment Funds
Bulgarian National Audit Office has conducted its first IT audit - of the Information System for Management and Monitoring (ISMM) of the funds from the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) for the period 2014-2020 and its management.
HUNGARY: Using open-source software and Agile/Lean for data-first auditing
In May 2023 the Hungarian SAI has established an in-house software development team, with the mandate to build an internal application to access unified auditee data, and to provide tools for the increasingly data-centric audits. In addition, many internal mini-applications of the SAI (intranet, website, internal policy database, audit status tracking, task management, timeslot booking, etc) belong to this internal dev team.
SERBIA: SAI of the Republic of Serbia conducted IT performance audits on three topics in 2023
During 2023, the State Audit Institution of the Republic of Serbia conducted IT performance audits on three topics - "Information systems in public city transport", "Management of the SAP ERP financial information system of the City of Belgrade", as well as "Efficiency of the information system, Registry and exercise of rights in the Republic Fund for Health Insurance".
SLOVENIA: IT audit - Managing cooperation with the users of IT service
In December 2023, the Court of Audit of the Republic of Slovenia published the report of its audit regarding the efficiency of the Ministry of Public Administration in managing cooperation with its IT service users.
Upcoming: 17th Meeting and seminar “Intelligent Auditor in an Artificially Intelligent State?”
Invitations will be soon out to register to the 17th Meeting of ITWG which will take place on 24-25 September in a hybrid mode online and in Oslo, hosted by SAI Norway.
A recap of ITWG virtual coffee breaks with colleagues
The Secretariat has been keeping the initiative “Coffee-break with a colleague” going second year in a row, with ITWG colleagues sharing experiences monthly in 2024.
New Work Plan 2024-2027 approved at the XII EUROSAI Congress
The XII Congress of EUROSAI hosted by the incoming President, the SAI of Israel online on 27-28 May approved the new ITWG Work Plan 2024-2027 and extended the ITWG chairmanship of the National Audit of Estonia for another 3-year term.
Cooperation agreement with ARABOSAI signed
Delegated by the Secretary General of EUROSAI, the Head of the ITWG Secretariat Alvar Nõuakas participated in the 4th meeting of the ARABOSAI IT Audit Committee (ITAC) held on 20 May in Algiers wherein a cooperation agreement between ITWG and ITAC was signed.
A lively e-Seminar on IT costs held
Over 200 participants from 55 countries took part in the ITWG e-Seminar “Government Spending on ICT – Under Control?“ hosted online by the Secretariat on 24 April.
Training programme “Introduction to Public Sector IT Audit” fully launched
The Secretariat is happy to announce that in frames of the ITWG Research & Training Hub project, an online, free of charge training programme “Introduction to Public Sector IT Audit” is now fully developed and is open for anyone interested in acquiring basic knowledge about how to approach IT aspects in audit work.
EGYPT: Transition from Traditional Auditing to Digital Auditing using Artificial Intelligence: Benefits and Challenges
The business environment has experienced significant technological advancements, particularly in the field of auditing which plays a crucial role in providing decision-makers with key information.
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: "Al Mersad“
Inspired by the UAE’s visionary leadership and aligning with the country's digital progression, the UAE Accountability Authority has unveiled its innovative platform “Al Mersad.”
