Press Release  Audit Finds No Deficiencies at Suffolk County Registry of Probate and Family Court

Boston — Today, State Auditor Suzanne M. Bump released an audit of the Suffolk County Registry of Probate and Family Court (SCRPFC) which examined its use of the Massachusetts Trial Court’s electronic case filing system. While the audit found case documents submitted through the state’s “eFileMA” system were processed properly, it called on SCRPFC to improve cybersecurity training for employees. The audit examined the period of September 1, 2018 through October 31, 2019.

“The Suffolk County Registry of Probate and Family Court should be commended for effectively implementing and operating the eFileMA system. However, as it and other courts do more of their business online, it is important they ensure their staff are properly trained to identify and respond to cyberthreats,” Bump said of the audit.

Although SCRPFC was administering and using the “eFileMA” system effectively during the audit period, the audit shows the Court did not conduct or require any of its staff members to receive cybersecurity awareness training. While this training is not required of employees of the judicial branch, Bump urged SCRPFC to implement protocols to ensure all members of its staff receive cybersecurity training upon hiring and annually thereafter.

SCRPFC is a part of the state’s Probate and Family Court Department which has jurisdiction over all probate and family matters. PFCD oversees 14 divisions, including SCRPFC which includes Boston, Brighton, Charlestown, Chelsea, Dorchester, East Boston, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain, Revere, Roslindale, South Boston, and Winthrop.

The full audit report is available here.

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