Idaho Department of Finance requests six new exam and cybersecurity positions; governor omits two investigator roles

The Idaho Department of Finance on Jan. 21 asked the Joint Finance Appropriations Committee for six full‑time positions and $816,600 in ongoing state regulatory funds for fiscal year 2026 to expand information‑technology and investigative capacity, including cybersecurity and forensic accounting specialists.

The request matters because the department oversees state‑chartered financial institutions, non‑depository consumer finance providers and the securities market; directors and some legislators said the added staff would help address rising cybercrime and fraud targeting older Idahoans.

Budget analyst Noah Peterson of the Legislative Services Office told the committee the six requested positions are an IT examiner for the Financial Institutions Bureau, a financial examiner (non‑IT), two Financial Investigator 3 positions focused on IT examinations (one for mortgage/credit services and one for consumer services), a Financial Investigator 3 for cybersecurity in the Securities Bureau, and a financial examiner with a forensic accounting specialty for the Securities Bureau. The package also included one‑time capital outlay for laptops, docking stations and portable field monitors…