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Frontline information and communications
technology (ICT) includes the hardware, software and supporting
network infrastructure used to help public sector agencies deliver
services.
ICT can quickly become obsolete due to the
high tempo of innovation and subsequent refresh rate of technology
assets. Inadequate management of obsolescence of ICT assets could
lead to poor or degraded service delivery.
The audit objective was to assess whether
obsolescence of ICT equipment and software is managed effectively
and efficiently in the public sector.
The audit concludes that obsolescence of
frontline ICT assets is not being given adequate recognition:
whole-of-government policies have not kept pace with the
increasingly central role of ICT in service delivery; there are no
ICT-specific policies or frameworks to guide the ongoing management
of ICT obsolescence; and a more robust funding model is needed to
better reflect the rapid ageing of ICT assets.
Two frontline ICT systems were subject to
detailed case study examination in the audit.
The National Secondary School Computer
Fund—funded by the Commonwealth Government, and overseen
by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.
The audit found that due to insufficient
oversight of obsolescence by the Department of Education and Early
Childhood Development, secondary school student learning goals that
depend upon the use of ICT assets, are at risk.
The Mobile Data Network, used
by Victoria Police and managed by the Emergency Services
Telecommunications Authority.
The audit found that ICT obsolescence has been effectively
managed in the Mobile Data Network. However, the Department of
Justice and the Department of Treasury and Finance must continue to
monitor the strategic risk of adequate radio spectrum allocation
for Victoria’s emergency services so that the Commonwealth
Government is made aware of present and future operational
requirements.
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