Emerging Tech

Treasury Sanctions Cryptocurrency Mixer

The online digital money platform has proven to act as a haven for cyber criminals looking to launder illegal cryptocurrencies.

Digital Government

DOD Failing to Track Progress on Military Alternatives to GPS, GAO Says

A new report says military leaders don’t have enough information to make crucial decisions about ongoing efforts to develop alternatives to the Global Positioning System.

Cybersecurity

Finance Sector Deals Latest Blow to Cyber Solarium Construct Teetering in NDAA

Congress will return from the August recess faced once again with the challenge of building cybersecurity policy for private providers of critical infrastructure faster than industry can tear it down.

Modernization

Over 20,000 Veterans Received VHA iPads but Never Used Them for Virtual Care

An inspector general review found that the agency was also slow to get devices back so they could be redistributed.

Cybersecurity

DOD failing to track progress on military alternatives to GPS, GAO says

A new report says military leaders don’t have enough information to make crucial decisions about ongoing efforts to develop alternatives to the Global Positioning System.

Policy

A new bill seeks to prevent the Secret Service from withholding records from its watchdog

“While I share the concerns of my colleagues about the actions of the current inspector general, it is also clear the Secret Service tried to impede the inspector general’s investigation into the events of Jan. 6,” said Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn.

Modernization

5G Presents a Need for Spectrum Coordination Among Federal Agencies

A Senate hearing underscored the need for federal telecommunication agency teamwork surrounding 5G spectrum deployment.

Acquisition

Senate passes bill to root out conflicts of interest in federal contracting

The Preventing Organizational Conflicts of Interest in Federal Acquisition Act sets new disclosure requirements and expands authorities for federal contracting officers. 

Digital Government

Audits of CBP’s Facial Recognition Partners ‘Vital to Building Trust,’ Lawmaker Says

The agency has “a ways to go” in auditing facial recognition partners for privacy and security, a watchdog noted.

Cybersecurity

Banking Groups Urge Senators to Reject NDAA Provision as Harmful to Cybersecurity

The provision for identifying “systemically important entities” included in the House-passed NDAA could still hitch a ride on the massive defense bill when it’s called to the floor in the upper chamber.

Digital Government

GAO: VA Needs Better Data Collection, Analysis on Sexual Harassment

The Government Accountability Office issued a follow-up report to its 2020 analysis of the Veterans Affairs Department’s procedures for collecting and handling data on sexual misconduct. 

Policy

GAO Adds 5 Priority Recommendations After OSTP Failed to Implement  2021 Changes

The U.S. Government Accountability Office established eight total priority recommendations for the Office of Science and Technology Policy, after OSTP failed to fully implement last year’s recommendations.

Modernization

U.S. Courts Still Suffer Poor IT Management Following 2020 Breach, Watchdog Finds

A U.S. Government Accountability Office’s report indicates insufficient IT workforce planning and management at the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, following the office’s 2020 system breach.

Modernization

GAO offers options for improving U.S. semiconductor supply

The prioritization of semiconductor goals—such as protecting national security or improving economic competition—determine which option will prove most important.

Modernization

Top Republican to 'Seriously Consider Pulling the Plug' on VA's New EHR System

The ranking member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee plans to introduce legislation before the end of the year to address deficiencies in the rollout of the new Oracle-Cerner electronic health record system.

Modernization

FITARA 14 sees just one overall A and stagnant grades

The Federal Information Technology Acquisition Reform Act scorecard did reveal continued struggles in the cybersecurity and Networx transition. 

Cybersecurity

Human Rights Advocate to Congress: Stop Federal Procurement of Commercial Spyware

The Intelligence Authorization Act, which recently cleared committee in the House, empowers—but does not require—the director of national intelligence to bar such acquisitions.

Digital Government

DHS Cleared After 2021 Exposure of Terrorist Watchlist Data

The agency’s Office of the Inspector General found that the Department of Homeland Security has ways to safeguard and share sensitive data and properly acted once it learned about the alleged exposure.