Cybersecurity
The IRS can do more with its fraud detection system
A GAO audit found that the tax agency's Return Review Program has made strides in recent years that can be applied to number of other enforcement activities.
People
GAO presses OPM for better data on employee misconduct
A new report from the GAO flags multiple holes in the way OPM collects for employee misconduct. OPM thinks GAO doesn’t understand the law.
Modernization
GAO urges DOD to share data about commercial satellite programs
Centralizing data related to the Defense Department's work with commercial satellites could be one of the first tasks for a “Space Force.”
People
Agencies still lag in empowering their CIOs. What gives?
Despite legislation, other congressional pressures and a presidential executive order aimed at expanding the authorities of CIOs, most agencies still lack policies to make those requirements a reality.
People
Dave Powner audits the state of federal IT
The GAO director of information technology issues is leaving government after 16 years. On his way out the door, Dave Powner details how far govtech has come in the past two decades and flags the most critical issues he sees facing federal IT leaders.
Acquisition
GAO: NNSA needs better contract oversight
The agency responsible for the security and maintenance of the nation’s nuclear stockpile should have a better handle on its maintenance and operations contract documents, a new audit finds.
Digital Government
GAO, TIGTA call out IT shortcomings at IRS
The tax agency's acquisition processes, broader information security systems and troubled enterprise case management solution drew criticism in three separate reviews.
Digital Government
Clock ticks on census prep
As the clock ticks down to the 2020 census, lawmakers and watchdogs want to make sure the Census Bureau is on schedule to count the entire population.
Digital Government
Watchdog: Government cyber defenses lag as attacks evolve
Legacy IT systems continue to limit the overall effectiveness of other cybersecurity solutions, federal CIO Suzette Kent said at a July 25 House hearing.
People
Powner to exit GAO
After 16 years working at the Government Accountability Office, IT oversight expert Dave Powner is taking his talents to MITRE.
Cybersecurity
IRS makes infosec strides after Get Transcript breach, but challenges remain
IRS officials charged with protecting and authenticating taxpayer data are getting better at their jobs – but so are fraudsters.
People
The DATA Act compliance struggle is real
After more than a year's worth of DATA Act reporting, just six of the 24 CFO Act agencies submitted data agency watchdogs considered complete.
Cybersecurity
TSA preps tech to track Cuba charter flights
TSA is looking to data sources inside and outside its operations to fold into a new tracking tool to get a better handle on charter aircraft traveling from Cuba into the U.S.
People
GAO wants better data, more workforce planning for government reorg
The administration's proposed changes have the potential to save money long-term, but Congress' investigative arm wants to make sure the plan takes previous reorg attempts into account.
Digital Government
EPA needs to manage contractors better, says Hill panel
Three senior Republicans on the House Energy and Commerce Committee want the Environmental Protection Agency to get a better handle on its contractor workforce.
Modernization
VA's new health record could yield savings – in 10 years
As the Department of Veterans Affairs embarks on a decade-long, $16 billion journey to replace its homegrown electronic health records system with a commercial platform, there's some hope that there will be savings on the post-implementation side.
Modernization
Oracle wins bid to block TRANSCOM cloud award
The Government Accountability Office recommended that the Pentagon terminate its $950 million award to Amazon cloud reseller REAN made under an "other transaction authority."
Digital Government
GAO, Census differ on IT readiness
Uncertainty over the impact the addition of the citizenship question and IT systems' readiness dominated a House Appropriations subcommittee hearing intended to discuss the Census Bureau's fiscal year 2019 budget.
Digital Government
Most jurisdictions satisfied with voting machines, GAO finds
Security and lifecycle replacement remains a concern for localities, but an investigation of hundreds of jurisdictions found broad satisfaction with the way equipment performed during the 2016 election.
Modernization