Summary

The Florida Information Resource Network (FIRN) is a Statewide educational telecommunications network controlled by the Department of Education (Department).  FIRN provided, during our audit period, varying levels of intranet network and telecommunications support to Florida’s public educational entities.

Our audit focused on management controls and selected information technology (IT) functions applicable to FIRN during the period March 2002 through June 2002, and selected actions taken through March 2003.  As a part of our audit, we surveyed Florida educational entities to determine their usage of, and satisfaction with, FIRN services.

Certain deficiencies were noted in FIRN’s network and general management controls.  Specifically, these deficiencies included:

• Although the majority of survey results were positive, certain FIRN users indicated dissatisfaction with FIRN’s ability to meet their requirements in the areas of bandwidth resources, network availability, network performance, and Internet service provision.

• Restrictions placed on trust fund moneys appropriated for FIRN for the 2002-03 fiscal year may conflict with certain Federal E-rate eligibility requirements.  The Department had not expended any of the trust fund moneys for FIRN, because it had not identified a method of using the funds without jeopardizing E-rate funding in future years. 

• The Department had not performed a formal risk analysis regarding FIRN’s IT resources nor documented the results of an informal risk analysis in the form of written policies and procedures.

• A steering committee was not maintained to oversee technology functions and organizational activities. 

During the course of our audit, the Department, in conjunction with the State Technology Office (STO) entered into a contract with Hayes E-Government Resources, Incorporated (Hayes), to outsource the network operations section of FIRN.  In a March 2003 press release, the Department publicly announced the outsourcing to Hayes and named the new network FIRN2.  Further information on the outsourcing is discussed in the Other Matters section of this report.

The Commissioner’s response can be viewed in its entirety on the Auditor General Web site.