Chief Information Officer Open Recommendations: Environmental Protection Agency

What GAO Found

In July 2025, GAO identified 11 open recommendations under the purview of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Chief Information Officer (CIO), from previously issued work. Each of these recommendations relates to a GAO High-Risk area: (1) Ensuring the Cybersecurity of the Nation or (2) Improving IT Acquisitions and Management. In addition, GAO has designated one of the 11 as a priority recommendation.

For example, GAO previously recommended that EPA establish a process for conducting an organization-wide cybersecurity risk assessment. Further, GAO recommended that EPA fully implement all event logging requirements as directed by the Office of Management and Budget. GAO also previously recommended that the agency complete annual reviews of its IT portfolio consistent with federal requirements. The CIO's continued attention to these recommendations will help ensure the secure and effective use of IT at the agency.

Why GAO Did This Study

CIO open recommendations are outstanding GAO recommendations that warrant the attention of agency CIOs because their implementation could significantly improve government IT operations by securing IT systems, identifying cost savings, improving major government programs, eliminating mismanagement of IT programs and processes, or ensuring that IT programs comply with laws, among others.

For more information, contact Nick Marinos at marinosn@gao.gov.