State Auditor's Office

Objectives

• Create and Execute a CSI Data and Technology Plan:
  CSI will annually produce a plan that outlines all software, hardware and services necessary to support the foundational operational data and technology needs of the CSI, as well as document any anticipated or planned projects. The benefit of the plan will be to help us know, manage and control our data and technology efforts and will enable us to make better informed investments and decisions around data and technology.
  State Strategic Plan Objective Reference: Enable Strategic Solutions
• Continuous Improvement of Policies, Processes and Procedures:
  All policies, processes and procedures related to data and technology operations are documented and followed and modified or changed as-needed. In addition to operating more efficiently, knowing and following proper procedures and policy and allowing for change and improvement to them in response to rapidly changing technologies will help the CSI protect and manage data better.
  State Strategic Plan Objective Reference: Improve Service Delivery & Provide Security by Design
• "Right-Size" the CSI IT Department:
  CSI will ensure the agency has the skills and capacity needed to support the CSI's data and technology needs now and into the future. CSI will move away from attempting to have the all the necessary skills "in-house" and towards having them only when and where needed through smart partnerships with SITSD, other state agencies and contracting.
  State Strategic Plan Objective Reference: Improve Strategic Partnerships & Build a ‘People First’ Culture

Objectives

• Deploy the Securities and Insurance Investigations Management System (SIIMS):
  SIIMS will track and manage the status, staff assignments, tasks and activities associated with criminal and civil investigations involving securities and insurance.
  The Securities team will use the system to track and manage examinations, registrations, and deficient notice of filling workflows.
  SIIMS will provide a portal for consumers and industry professionals to submit concerns directly to the correct CSI team.
  SIIMS will be the repository for all communications, digital documents, media (video or audio recordings, photographs), as well as track physical evidence associated with an investigation.
  SIIMS will also manage and track key dates and deadlines and facilitate the automation and standardization of workflows and communications.
  SIIMS will provide dashboards and reports on various metrics and aspects of tracked workflows.
  State Strategic Plan Objective Reference: Improve Service Delivery, Provide Security by Design & Improve Digital Transformation
• Launch the CSI Business and Systems Modernization Effort:
  This is the CSI's overall "umbrella project" to identify opportunities for business and IT processes and systems improvement, with the goal of better aligning both.
  While CSI staff are knowledgeable and proficient in their areas, CSI leadership understood that transforming long-standing business processes and IT systems is best accomplished with objective and constructively critical feedback.
  CSI is supplementing in-house expertise with strong outside change management, technical expertise, advice and guidance from industry experts.
  
  State Strategic Plan Objective Reference: Improve Strategic Partnerships, Design for Human Experience, Streamline and Elevate Customer Interactions, Enable Strategic Solutions, Cost Optimization and Efficiency, Improve Value-added Services, Improve Service Delivery, Provide Security by Design and Improve Digital Transformation.
• Revenue Collection and Reconciliation Project:
  This is the first project under the CSI Business and Systems Modernization Effort and the first phase will encompass documenting current revenue collection and reconciliation business and systems processes and develop potential future processes/systems improvements and changes.
  Phase 2 will encompass executing on proposed changes. CSI expects to see significant improvements in the accuracy, ease of use, and turnaround times in processes related to revenue collection and reconciliation, and possible utilization of existing tax revenue systems already in use at the State.
  State Strategic Plan Objective Reference: Streamline and Elevate Customer Interactions, Improve Service Delivery, Provide Security by Design, Improve Digital Transformation

Objectives

• Prepare the CSI to utilize the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) and State of Montana Snowflake Environments:
  Utilize the NAIC and/or State of Montana Snowflake environments for beneficial sharing of data, especially with consumers/industry and for internal analysis and use.
  Initial areas of focus will be in the examination and market conduct areas and possible consumer utilization.
  Adoption will require training and skillset realignment of business staff.
  
  State Strategic Plan Objective Reference: Improve Value-added Services & Cost Optimization and Efficiency.
• Participate on the Open Insurance Data Link (openIDL) Project:
  openIDL (open Insurance Data Link) is an open blockchain network that streamlines regulatory reporting and provides new insights for insurers, while enhancing timeliness, accuracy, and value for regulators. openIDL is the first open blockchain platform that enables the efficient, secure, and permissioned-based collection and sharing of statistical data.
  Restart the CSI’s participation in the IDL Project and attend weekly meetings and assist the CSI IT Manager in identifying technical and operational requirements and quantifying potential benefits of CSI’s participation on the Open Insurance Data Link Project.
  
  State Strategic Plan Objective Reference: Improve Value-added Services, Cost Optimization and Efficiency & Improve Strategic Partnerships.
• Perform a Complete Technical Inventory and Security and Risk Assessments of All CSI Systems and Data:
  CSI will conduct a technical Inventory of all current CSI systems, data sources, including all interfaces to outside systems and data sources.
  CSI will implement an ongoing inventory update as future systems and sources are added and older ones removed or changed.
  CSI will perform security and risk assessments of applications via SITSD’s (State Information Technology Services Division) RSA Archer or TBD SITSD Security Consolidation Methodologies.
  State Strategic Plan Objective Reference: Cost Optimization and Efficiency, Improve Value-added Services & Provide Security by Design.

Number of FTE: 2

The mission of the CSI IT Team is to provide the CSI with secure and reliable information technology tools and services to meet the diverse needs of our agency and improve how we protect and serve consumers and the industry and serve the citizens of Montana. We’ll achieve our mission by partnering with our customers and always striving to “do the right thing”.