A state performance audit found the MassDOT Aeronautics Division failed to meet several administrative requirements over a two-year period.
Conducted by the Office of the State Auditor from July 1, 2019, to June 30, 2021, the probe revealed that the Aeronautics Division does not have a business continuity plan or an internal control plan, and did not ensure all staff members signed its acceptable use policy and completed cybersecurity awareness training for information technology.
The Auditor’s office also noted that policies and procedures related to the Aeronautics Division’s pilot program for unmanned aircraft systems — commonly known as drones — should be strengthened to track drones and coordinate an organizational response to emergencies.
“In two previous audits of the Aeronautics Division, the Office of the State Auditor found that the division had not documented and tested a BCP to restore mission-critical and essential business functions in the event of an emergency,” State Auditor Suzanne M. Bump said. “I am pleased some action is being taken to ensure the BCP is developed and implemented as a result of our audit.”
The audit recommends that a BCP and ICP be developed and implemented, and that the division require new hire and annual cybersecurity training and require all staff members to sign a policy that denotes proper IT use.
In a statement, MassDOT Aeronautics Administrator Jeffrey DeCarlo said: “We currently comply with all federal requirements and the Aeronautics Division is already addressing the state audit recommendations.”
The MassDOT Aeronautics Division, formerly known as the Massachusetts Aeronautics Commission, has jurisdiction over 35 of the state’s 38 public-use airports — its jurisdiction does not include Logan International Airport, Worcester Airport and Hanscom Field, which are owned and operated by the Massachusetts Port Authority.
It received more than $35.4 million in combined total funding for fiscal years 2020 and 2021; more than $8 million of those funds were directed to the division’s drone program, which uses unmanned aerial equipment to conduct bridge, rail, subway tunnel and airport inspections, along with asset monitoring, accident investigation and incident response throughout the state.
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