Chief Information Officer Open Recommendations: Department of State

What GAO Found

In January 2026, GAO identified 95 open recommendations under the purview of the Department of State's Chief Information Officer (CIO), including 71 that are sensitive, 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 two of the 95 as priority recommendations.

For example, GAO previously recommended that State develop and maintain a department-wide risk portfolio to prioritize significant cybersecurity risks per federal guidance. Further, GAO recommended that State fully implement all event logging requirements as directed by the Office of Management and Budget.

GAO also previously recommended that the department develop a plan to monitor the progress of its IT recruitment programs and processes. The CIO's continued attention to these recommendations will help ensure the secure and effective use of IT at the department.

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.