OAGF denies IPPIS portal hack, says workers data secure

The federal government has reassured civil servants that the integrated personnel and payroll information system (IPPIS) database has not been compromised.

The office of the accountant-general of the federation (OAGF) spoke in a statement on Monday, signed by Bawa Mokwa, its director of press and public relations.

On September 13, a report had said the IPPIS payroll validation portal on the website of the OAGF was hijacked by an unknown hacker.

According to the report, workers’ data stored on the website of the IPPIS secretariat, a department within the OAGF, was susceptible to attack because the secure site layer feature of the website had expired and remained unrenewed for over a year.

At the time of this report, TheCable observed that the website is still not accessible.

Speaking in the statement, the OAGF insisted the database has not been compromised, assuring that employees’ personal data on the IPPIS portal is safe and secure.

The agency also said the government is committed to maintaining and operating a safe and efficient personnel and payroll management system.

“The OAGF, which manages the IPPIS and other financial management initiatives of the federal government, said it is already implementing its ICT Security Policy that aims to ensure that its digital assets are secured in line with global best practices,” the Office said.

The accountant-general office said no data is saved on its website, adding that the IPPIS uses the website only to share information and not for any transaction.

“The IPPIS is not using the OAGF website for any transaction. The website is actually the medium to share information. Neither payroll nor payment is made through the website, therefore, no data is contained in the website,” the office said.

“The IPPIS validation portal that was recently developed for updates of employee information was deployed for a period and after the exercise was over, the data were pulled out and the site shut down permanently.

“The IPPIS Validation Portal was deployed on a secure platform. A secured database and application were purchased from the popular HELIX-FONS.”

The office said the IPPIS is important to Nigerian workers, hence, it became necessary to assuage the fears of any loss or breach of employees’ personal data on the system.

The OAGF said the IPPIS has set up mechanisms to resolve any problem that may arise in its operations, advising workers who observe anomalies in their salaries to follow the official procedures to get such issues resolved.