Google Trust Services: Tracking bug for possible audit delays (audit due 2020-12)

This case is a tracking bug for Google Trust Services (GTS) regarding a potential risk of audit delays due to COVID-19 lockdown and travel restrictions affecting facility audits. In the initial message, GTS described that its annual audit period runs from 2019-10-01 to 2020-09-30 and that facility audits normally involve site visits to three locations in Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Zurich. GTS stated it had no immediate concerns about secure operation or compliance obligations, but flagged a possible future risk if restrictions extended into late summer and prevented some facility audits. GTS said it expanded its business continuity plan to cover pandemics and travel restriction scenarios, maintained regular communications with auditors, and indicated it could complete key ceremonies and facility audits under essential worker provisions if needed. Later updates reported that physical audits were completed for two locations, a plan was in place for the third, and then the third location was completed; other audit tasks were described as on track for timely completion and delivery of audit reports. The bug was ultimately closed as Resolved/Invalid, with the thread indicating there was no underlying issue.

1. 2020-03-27 Google Trust Services flagged a potential risk that COVID-19 restrictions could delay facility audits during its annual audit period.
2. 2020-09-15 Google Trust Services reported completion of the third facility audit location and stated other audit tasks were on track.
3. 2020-09-21 The tracking bug was marked Resolved/Invalid, indicating no underlying issue.

1. 2020-03-27 Community commenter — Ryan Sleevi posted that David Kluge had shared an update on a potential risk of audit delays for Google Trust Services due to COVID-19 lockdown/travel restrictions.
2. 2020-03-27 Google representative — David Kluge created a tracking bug and set a next update for 2020-07-01.
3. 2020-03-30 Google representative — David Kluge acknowledged the plan and thanked Ryan.
4. 2020-09-02 Community commenter — Ryan Sleevi asked for an update after the scheduled 2020-07-01 and 2020-08-31 dates passed.
5. 2020-09-03 Google representative — Ben Warner apologized for the lag and reported that physical audits for 2 of 3 locations were completed and a plan existed for the third, with WebTrust audit expected on time.
6. 2020-09-15 Google representative — Ben Warner reported the third location was completed and that other audit tasks were on track, expecting audit reports on time.
7. 2020-09-20 Community commenter — Ryan Sleevi agreed to close the bug as Resolved/Invalid since it sounded like there was no issue.
8. 2020-09-21 Community commenter — Ryan Sleevi marked the bug Resolved/Invalid, stating it appeared there was no underlying issue.