Comptroller’s office training session targets rise in cyberthreats

By THE STAR STAFF

In response to a rise in cyber threats, fraud schemes and new financial challenges within government operations, the Office of the Comptroller of Puerto Rico (OCPR by its initials in Spanish) recently held a specialized training session that brought together more than 300 of the agency’s auditors. 

The aim of the Technical Audit Meeting was to strengthen the tools and capabilities of the staff responsible for overseeing the use of public funds through conferences and panels focused on forensic auditing, evidence management, digital security, financial analysis and strategic oversight. 

Comptroller of Puerto Rico Carmen Vega Fournier emphasized that “… the evolution of technological and financial risks demands continuous preparation and increasingly specialized auditing.”

Specialized personnel from the public and private sectors participated in the session, addressing topics related to:

• Cyber ​​risk and digital system protection

• Forensic auditing and evidence gathering

• Financial tools for identifying irregularities

• Effective supervision and audit leadership

• Legal and interagency collaboration in investigations

• Well-being strategies and workplace stress management.

“The challenges facing public institutions continue to change and evolve,” Vega Fournier said. “Today more than ever, we need auditors who are prepared, up-to-date, and equipped with the necessary tools to identify risks, strengthen controls, and protect Puerto Rico’s public resources. Modern auditing requires knowledge, preparation, and commitment.”