Priority Open Recommendations: Department of State
Highlights
What GAO Found
In June 2024, GAO identified 13 priority recommendations for the Department of State. Since then, State has implemented 2 of those recommendations by, among other things, implementing all components of State's Information Security Continuous Monitoring program across the department.
In April 2025, GAO identified 2 additional priority recommendations for State, bringing the total number to 13. These recommendations involve the following areas:
- addressing weaknesses in cybersecurity;
- strengthening foreign assistance monitoring;
- improving overseas real property planning;
- improving data quality;
- complying with congressional reporting requirements; and
- enhancing training efforts.
State's continued attention to these issues could lead to significant improvements in government operations.
Why GAO Did This Study
Priority open recommendations are the GAO recommendations that warrant priority attention from heads of key departments or agencies because their implementation could save large amounts of money; improve congressional or executive branch decision-making on major issues; eliminate mismanagement, fraud, and abuse; or ensure that programs comply with laws and funds are legally spent, among other benefits. Since 2015, GAO has sent letters to selected agencies to highlight the importance of implementing such recommendations.
For more information, contact Kim Gianopoulos at gianopolousk@gao.gov.