Information Technology Policy & Audits Division (IPAD)
Audits - The IT Audit Management Program (AMP) aims to help simplify and optimize processes associated with audit liaison. Our mission is to provide value-added, objective, and innovative services to ensure the OCIO has end-to-end visibility of all Government Accountability Office (GAO) and USDA Office of the Inspector General (OIG) engagements.
The OCIO E-GOV Office serves as USDA’s focal point for E-GOV Presidential Initiatives and Lines of Business, as well as the USDA liaison to the Office of Management and Budget regarding E-GOV. The office provides oversight and guidance to the development and implementation of USDA-wide policies, standards, and procedures for E-GOV implementations. The office manages USDA’s E-GOV relationships with other Federal agencies. It identifies and promotes common enterprise solutions to enable improvements in USDA’s business, information, and technology infrastructures to reduce overall funding requirements. It also provides leadership in addressing and resolving IT department-wide issues and obstacles to achieving E-GOV objectives.
Policy – The Policy Team serves as the advisor to OCIO concerning OCIO-sponsored Departmental Policy and OCIO regulations. Ensures that OCIO policies are aligned with Federal IT policy, laws, regulations, standards, mandates, and administration initiatives. Serves as the central control point of contact to prevent overlapping, duplication, and conflict. Facilitates enterprise-wide guiding principles that govern the processes, procedures, and management of IT resources. Helps stakeholders use existing policies or create new policies to realize their goals, objectives, and strategies. Provides guidance and advice to stakeholders on policy requirements and best practices, and effective processes and procedures. Provides guidance outlining formal processes and standards for originating, publishing, and maintaining OCIO-sponsored Departmental Directives including Regulations (DR), Manuals (DM), Guidebooks (DG), Notices (DN), and Secretary’s Memoranda (SM), in addition to the suite of OCIO regulations and forms. Serves as the point of contact for all OCIO-sponsored Departmental directives and OCIO regulations and forms.
Records Management- Records Information Management (RIM) and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), is the IRMC initiative that focuses on establishing a centralized framework for Records and Information Management (RIM) and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) oversight within the OCIO Centers, aimed at ensuring consistency and compliance across all program areas. This includes the development and implementation of protocols for the secure management, storage, and sharing of CUI, ensuring confidentiality while facilitating efficient access. Comprehensive training and resources will be provided to OCIO staff and program teams to foster a clear understanding of RIM best practices and CUI handling procedures. Additionally, the initiative emphasizes effective lifecycle management of records, covering all stages from creation to disposition, in accordance with federal guidelines. Finally, it advocates for built-in compliance and accountability measures, such as regular audits, across the OCIO Center’s sub-centers and programs to uphold standards and enhance oversight.
To Learn More about IPAD Service Offerings, Contact
Renae Harris-Hill, Director
renae.harris-hill@usda.gov
