NC government computer security reviews an issue

RALEIGH — Two state agencies – one of them State Auditor Les Merritt’s office – are at odds over how Merritt has handled government computer security reviews.

Merritt’s office contracted with Symantec Corp. in 2006 and has performed almost $2 million in vulnerability assessments, essentially trying to hack into state government computers to
reveal weaknesses.

North Carolina Chief Information Officer George Bakolia has accused Merritt of entering into the contract without getting formal bids and without consulting with his agency. Merritt’s chief deputy, Kris Bailey, says the auditor is exempt from bidding rules for these types of projects and has kept in touch with Bakolia’s office on the reviews.

Merritt is seeking re-election next week. He’s being challenged by Democrat Beth Wood.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)