Year 2000 Computing Crisis

Progress Made at Department of Labor, But Key Systems at Risk Gao ID: T-AIMD-98-303 September 17, 1998

The Department of Labor has made progress in addressing the Year 2000 computing crisis, but risks remain in several areas, including making benefit payments to laid-off workers, collecting labor statistics, and ensuring accurate accounting for pension benefits. Some of the systems supporting these business areas are at risk. Some could fail as early as January 1999, less than four months away, because they involve calculations a year into the future. It is critical that contingency plans be developed to ensure business continuity in the event of systems failures.

GAO noted that: (1) Labor and its agencies have made progress, but are still at risk in several areas; (2) these areas include making benefits payments to laid-off workers, collecting labor statistics, and ensuring accurate accounting for pension benefits; (3) several of the systems supporting these business areas are at risk; some could fail as early as January 1999 because they involve calculations a year into the future; and (4) accordingly, it is critical that appropriate contingency plans be developed to ensure business continuity in the event of systems failures.



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