Idaho Department of Finance requests six IT/cybersecurity examiners in 2026 budget; governor trims two investigator positions

The Idaho Department of Finance requested six full‑time positions and $816,600 from state regulatory funds for fiscal year 2026, proposing new IT and cybersecurity expertise for its Financial Institutions, Consumer Finance and Securities bureaus. Director Patty Perkins told the Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee the additions respond to a rise in cyber‑enabled fraud, particularly schemes that target older Idahoans.

The request includes an IT examiner for the Financial Institutions Bureau and a financial examiner (non‑IT) at a salary budgeted at $121,300 (100% of policy for salary grade P); two Financial Investigator 3 positions focused on IT examinations (one for mortgage/credit services and one for consumer services) budgeted at $82,500 each (salary grade M); a cybersecurity‑specialist Financial Investigator 3 for the Securities Bureau at $82,500; and a forensic accounting specialist for the Securities Bureau at $82,500. The enhancement package also included one‑time capital outlay for desks and OITS‑recommended hardware (laptops, docking stations and portable field monitors) totaling $52,600.

“No, there’s a huge increase in cybercrime,” Director Patty Perkins said, describing cases that use computers and telephones to swindle elderly people and noting that some fraud originates outside the U.S. She said the department has partnered with the Idaho State Police and leveraged tools purchased by ISP to follow the money but that the agency’s investigative staff is small and needs bolstering.

Budget analyst Noah Peterson told the committee the governor recommended the requested positions except for the two Financial Investigator 3 positions for the Consumer Finance Bureau (the two IT‑focused investigator roles). Peterson said the enhancement request totals 6 FTP and $816,600 and that all costs would come from the department’s state regulatory fund.

Senator Wintrow and Senator Cook pressed for measurable workload and outcome data to justify new FTPs. “It sounds like there’s an increase here and some real vulnerabilities for ... elderly folks,” Senator Wintrow said, asking the director to provide case and workload information. Director Perkins agreed to provide additional material to the committee. Senator Cook requested baseline metrics to measure return on investment if the additional FTPs are approved.

The department’s base review noted it spends roughly 92.5% of appropriations on average over recent fiscal years, with 77.8% of FY2024 expenditures for personnel and 21% for operating costs. The agency reported 72 full‑time personnel allocated to its single budget program and described two constrained funds: a mortgage recovery fund and a securities investor education fund, each statutorily limited to $50,000 of annual use for certain activities and training.

The committee did not take a formal vote during this presentation. Committee members also heard at the start of the meeting that some budget decisions were delayed pending resolution of the CEC recommendation and a separate health insurance benefit issue; that delay will affect when the committee can set final budgets.

The department said it supports the governor’s recommended budget overall and will supply the workload and outcome data requested by committee members.