Oversight

SBA Relaunches COVID Loan Program As Watchdog Warns About Possible Fraud 

The recent COVID relief package included funding for a third round of the program, which has come under much scrutiny. 

  • By Courtney Bublé

Government Watchdogs Launch Cyber-Threat Sharing Assessment

In the wake of the recent hack, Microsoft President Brad Smith said contractual obligations hurt cross-government sharing following breaches.

  • By Mariam Baksh

GAO: Bid Protests Down 2% in 2020

For a second straight year, the Government Accountability Office dealt with fewer bid protests.

  • By Frank Konkel

10 of 15 of DOD’s Major IT Projects Are Behind Schedule, GAO Found

Lack of talent is one of the key reasons Defense officials cited for shortfalls implementing cybersecurity best practices. 

  • By Mila Jasper

IG: Last Major CBP System Outage Caused By Code Defect Known for 2 Years

The customs agency could have avoided an August 2019 system outage—and hours of delays for travelers—with better patch management and employee training on backup procedures.

  • By Aaron Boyd

The Hack Roundup: Treasury Briefing Reignites Encryption Debate

Here are the news and updates you may have missed.

  • By Heather Kuldell and Mariam Baksh

GAO Issues ‘Wake-Up Call’ Report on Agencies’ Lax Supply Chain Security Management

The bottom line is that none of the 23 agencies audited fully implemented foundational risk management practices. 

  • By Mila Jasper

Pentagon Risks Falling Short on Electromagnetic Spectrum Goals, GAO Finds

The Defense Department needs to improve governance and oversight of EMS strategies in order to maintain operational control, according to a new audit.

  • By Mila Jasper

DHS IG Opens Probe into Warrantless Cellphone Tracking

The investigation is in response to a Congressional inquiry about Customs and Border Protection getting location data from phones.

  • By Mila Jasper

GAO: AI Promising in Health Care, but Challenges Remain

The nascent technology is leading to positive health care outcomes, but issues may impede widespread adoption.

  • By Frank Konkel

The Defense Department IG Outlined the Pentagon’s Top Challenges. Here’s Where Tech Fits In.

Two new challenges added this year focus on technological dominance and data as a strategic asset. Tech like hypersonics, microelectronics, AI, 5G and biotechnology were also highlighted.

  • By Mila Jasper

GAO Offers Best Practices in Telework for Agencies

Congressional watchdogs highlight how agencies should—safely and securely—telework.

  • By Frank Konkel

State Department Facing 'Significant' Information Security Issues, OIG Says

Information security and management was one of seven major management and performance issues the State Department faced in fiscal year 2020.

  • By Mila Jasper

Lawmakers Want to Know Why a Controversial Immigration Figure Was Appointed to a High-Level NIST Job

The pair asked Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross for details about the creation of a deputy undersecretary position and why Congress was not informed. 

  • By Brandi Vincent

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Pentagon Expects to Fail Another Audit, But Says Progress Made

Officials say they’re on pace to pass an audit…in 2027.

  • By Marcus Weisgerber

Advisory Committee Recommends DHS Perform Better Outreach Regarding Biometrics Programs

The Homeland Security Advisory Council also said its request to review a controversial biometrics rule was never fulfilled.

  • By Mila Jasper

Transportation IG to Examine Security of Financial Systems Dispersing CARES Act Funds

A new audit will hone in on the security controls of systems being used at the Federal Transportation Department. 

  • By Brandi Vincent

IG: Treasury’s IT Challenges Persist But No More So Than Other Agencies

Three projects were identified as having a medium risk of failure due to cost and schedule overruns.

  • By Aaron Boyd

Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill Seeks to Formally Authorize IG Website

Oversight.gov was created in 2017 to consolidate IG reports for easy access.

  • By Courtney Bublé

‘For the First Time In Many Years,’ OPM Has a Plan To Fix Its Tech

The agency will need funding, a skilled staff, consistent leadership and more funding to successfully implement the CIO’s latest plan, according to the inspector general.

  • By Aaron Boyd

OMB Behind Schedule on Open Data Initiatives, GAO Says

The Office of Management and Budget missed the deadline for issuing governmentwide guidance for complying with the OPEN Government Data Act and is behind on reporting on agencies’ progress.

  • By Mila Jasper