Printed from https://fyi.org.nz/request/33343-oia-request-security-advice-regarding-moe-smart-tool-project-moe29225 on February 19, 2026 20:34

OIA Request: Security Advice regarding MoE SMART Tool (Project MOE29225)

Phillip Fry made this Official Information request to Government Communications Security Bureau

Response to this request is delayed. By law, Government Communications Security Bureau should normally have responded promptly and by (details and exceptions)

From: Phillip Fry

Dear Government Communications Security Bureau,

Under the Official Information Act 1982, I request any advice, briefings, or correspondence provided by the GCSB or NCSC to the Ministry of Education regarding the SMART (Student Monitoring, Assessment and Reporting Tool) project and the vendor Janison Solution Pty Ltd.

Specifically, I request:

Any assessment or feedback regarding the tool’s compliance with NZISM standards for "IN-CONFIDENCE" data.

Any advice provided concerning the risks of offshore data storage and disaster recovery backups in Australia for this specific project.

Any records of "Supply Chain Cyber Security" assessments conducted on the vendor Janison.

Yours faithfully,

Phillip Fry

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From: Information (GCSB)
Government Communications Security Bureau

Tçnâ koe Phillip,

Thank you for your Official Information Act request.
We will endeavour to respond to your request as soon as possible and, in any event, no later than 20 working days (noting that there is a holiday close down period) after the day that your request was received. If we are unable to respond to your request by then, we will notify you of an extension of that timeframe.

If you have any queries, please feel free to contact [GCSB request email]

Ngâ mihi,
GCSB

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From: Phillip Fry

Dear Information (GCSB),

For the avoidance of doubt, I wish to clarify that my request is not seeking disclosure of operational cyber security vulnerabilities or sensitive technical detail. The request is limited to confirmation of whether advice or assessments were provided in relation to SMART and Janison, and the general nature of any such advice.

Ngā mihi,
Phillip Fry

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From: Information (GCSB)
Government Communications Security Bureau

Kia ora
Meri Kirihimete me te Hape Nu la - Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Thank you for your email to the Government Communications Security Bureau.
We are out of the office for the Christmas/New Year period. Business as
usual will resume following Wellington on Tuesday 21 January 2026.  Any
requests under the Official Information Act and Privacy Act will be logged
and acknowledged accordingly. 
If you're emailing because you want to report a crime or you believe your
life is in danger, please contact the New Zealand Police. In an emergency,
call 111. If the information is not time-critical, please call the
non-emergency number, 105.
Nga mihi
GCSB

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From: Information (GCSB)
Government Communications Security Bureau

Dear Phillip

We refer to your official information request of 20 December 2025 relating to SMART (Student Monitoring, Assessment and Reporting Tool) project and the vendor Janison Solution Pty Ltd.

The Official Information Act 1982 requires that we advise you of our decision on your request no later than 20 working days after the day that we received your request which is 11 February 2026. Unfortunately, it will not be possible to meet that time limit and we are, therefore, writing to notify you of an extension of the time to make our decision, to Wednesday 11 March 2026.

This extension is necessary because consultations necessary to make a decision on your request are such that a proper response cannot reasonably be made within the original time limit.

If you wish to discuss any aspect of your request with us, including this decision, please feel free to contact [GCSB request email].

You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision. Information about how to make a complaint is available at http://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/ or freephone 0800 802 602.

Kind regards

GCSB

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Things to do with this request

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