Quick Hits

*** The Inspector General of the Small Business Administration is warning about "serious concerns" about fraud in the administration of a $373 billion loan program set up to support firms during the pandemic. Some instances of fraud include reports of identity theft and efforts to transfer SBA loans to overseas accounts.

*** In a move to plug leaks to the press and to the public, the Defense Department is reminding employees not to disclose non-public information. In a July 20 memo to all DOD personnel, Secretary Mark Esper said that unclassified government information is considered non-public until approved for release. Esper ordered all personnel to take online training courses on OPSEC awareness, unauthorized disclosure of classified information, insider threat awareness and information security within 60 days.

"Unauthorized disclosures, regardless of purpose or intent, can result in adverse personnel action, including unsatisfactory performance evaluations, records of formal counseling, the loss of security clearances or termination of employment, or even criminal prosecutions," the memo states.