Audit finds BCIT has a comprehensive governance framework in place to manage cybersecurity risks

VICTORIA, British Columbia, March 03, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- An audit of BCIT found that it had a comprehensive governance framework in place to support oversight and management of cybersecurity risks.

Cyber attacks – including phishing, ransomware and malware – are gaining in frequency and severity. They can lead to privacy violations, reputational damage, and financial loss.

BCIT, one of the province’s largest post-secondary institutions, is responsible for securing the records of about 45,000 students along with research data and other confidential information.

“Cyber attacks can have devastating impacts on organizations,” Auditor General Bridget Parrish said. “B.C. public sector entities are prime targets for bad actors, so it’s important for organizations like BCIT to have a comprehensive approach to managing cybersecurity risks.”

The Office of the Auditor General’s report to the Legislative Assembly found BCIT had:

• policies in place and technical standards being finalized to manage cybersecurity risks;
• defined roles and responsibilities for cybersecurity risk management;
• processes to understand their organizational context and support decisions about cybersecurity risks; and
• performance metrics for monitoring cybersecurity risk management.

Governance frameworks are the foundation of cybersecurity risk management. The National Institute of Standards and Technology Cybersecurity Framework is a widely used best-practice source for industry, government, and other organizations. BCIT has adopted the NIST framework to guide its cybersecurity practice.

This audit report is the first since Parrish became auditor general on Dec. 1, 2025.

News conference

Auditor General Bridget Parrish will host a news conference to discuss the report and take questions.

Date: March 3, 2026
Time: 1:30 p.m.
Location: B.C. Legislative Press Theatre

Dial-in information
Media dial-in number: 1-800-717-1738
Pass code: M028499
To ask a question: press *1

Participants are requested to dial-in 20 minutes prior to the announcement and to have the participant pass code ready. Failure to do so may delay you or others from joining the call.

Contact
Nicholas Johnson, Communications Director
Office of the Auditor General
njohnson@bcauditor.com
250-419-6117

Email alerts
Subscribe to email notifications about reports from the Office of the Auditor General: https://e1.envoke.com/ext/pages/9409e28a687e1d46b8f5a733370dd7fd

About the Office of the Auditor General of B.C.
Find us online at: https://www.oag.bc.ca

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5c8717f4-ae2a-4071-9f20-8bd951302bf5

A video accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7ef02a39-6124-4c3b-b45a-a88046697634

Bridget Parrish - Auditor General - press conference

Bridget Parrish - Auditor General - press conference. Print resolution (300 dpi)

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