State Auditor Nicole Galloway said Wednesday her office is beginning an audit of the Health and Senior Services' department's Vital Records Systems, which keep the state's birth, death, adoption, marriage and divorce records.
Anyone with information that could help with the audit is encouraged to contact the auditor's Whistleblower Hotline at 800-347-8597, or by email at [email protected].
Galloway said the audit will review system security and the safeguards that are in place to prevent unauthorized or inappropriate access to those records.
"The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services is responsible for safeguarding some of our most personal information," Galloway said in a news release. "This audit will review the precautions in place to keep your information secure and ensure it stays that way."
"There are real security risks if this information is compromised," she said.
"Having a valid birth certificate is often the first step in securing additional identifying documents, like driver licenses and passports. Even a minor lapse in security could have major implications down the road."
Galloway became state auditor in 2015, after Tom Schweich's death.
Since taking office, Galloway has made cybersecurity a priority across all components of government, and recently was honored by the Center for Digital Education for her Cyber Aware School Audit program.
It was designed to increase safeguards against unauthorized access to student records and information.
Galloway also has incorporated data security into the standard audit process as part of an ongoing emphasis on data protection practices and keeping Missourians' information secure.