People
Former DHS acting IG pleads guilty in software scheme
A former acting top watchdog at the Department of Homeland Security pleaded guilty in a scheme to steal case management software from multiple federal agencies in order to create a new system to sell back to the government.
Modernization
SBA faces fraud risks and IT security woes, IG says
The Small Business Administration has struggled to cope with an onslaught of potentially fraudulent activity within its direct lending programs spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic, Inspector General Hannibal Ware testified to the House Small Business Committee.
Digital Government
Native American Advocates Discuss Barriers To Broadband Before Senate
A Senate Committee hearing focused on the digital divide in rural tribal areas, and where federal programs are falling short.
Cybersecurity
House FISMA Reform Would Empower Federal CISO With Budgeting Authority
Corresponding Senate legislation doesn’t mention the federal chief information security officer but shares other key elements—including a shorter incident reporting window—with a discussion draft issued by the House Oversight and Reform Committee.
People
MSPB passes five-year mark without a quorum
Without a quorum on the Merit Systems Protection Board, the board is unable to issue decisions for appeals, leaving thousands in limbo and a critical part of the civil service system non-functional.
Digital Government
Can Project Maven help shape acquisition policy?
The DOD's inspector general found that the lack of a formal documentation process for acquisition metrics and procedures could prevent future growth of Project Maven and similar projects.
Acquisition
Can Project Maven help shape acquisition policy?
The DOD's inspector general found that the lack of a formal documentation process for acquisition metrics and procedures could prevent future growth of Project Maven and similar projects.
Acquisition
GAO uses uses covert testing scheme to assess SBA screening processes
The Government Accountability Office sent applications from four fake firms to the Small Business Administration's 8(a) program to see whether SBA had made progress addressing long-standing oversight issues.
Cybersecurity
FTC warns of legal risks of failing on Log4j mitigation
The Federal Trade Commission issued a warning this week urging companies to take "reasonable steps" to mitigate known software vulnerabilities or face potential legal consequences, recalling the $700 million settlement Equifax paid for a major breach in 2017.
Digital Government
Tech woes and fraud top the list of unemployment system issues
A new report from a special Pandemic Response Accountability Committee delves into the issues surrounding UI during COVID-19.
Digital Government
Legislation Could Mandate DOD to Review How it Categorizes Drones
The lawmaker that proposed it said he hopes to make it easier for the military to operationalize new UAS technologies.
Policy
Data Broker Sales To Law Enforcement Violate Fourth Amendment, Senator Argues
A Democratic senator promoted his pending privacy legislation as he spoke about the sales of American data to law enforcement agencies.
Digital Government
Better Collaboration Needed Between 18F, USDS To Reduce Overlap, GAO Says
A GAO audit suggests the two offices need to improve communication of IT guidance to reduce overlap and contradiction for federal agencies.
Digital Government
GAO: NSA Erred in Technical Evaluations of $10 Billion Cloud Contract
The Government Accountability Office recommended the NSA reevaluate bids from Microsoft and Amazon Web Services.
Artificial Intelligence
Economist Calls for Deeper Examination of AI’s Risks
Technological progress could come at a cost.
People
What’s next for security clearance reform?
Expect new milestones from the DOD’s governmentwide vetting IT and new policies on vetting criteria in 2022.
People
Top House Republican pushes back on government telework
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) isn’t the only Republican lawmaker asking questions about the productivity of teleworking federal employees.
Digital Government
Social Security Enjoys Broad Customer Satisfaction As It Overhauls Telephone System
The Social Security Administration has been angling to streamline and automate its call center for quicker customer service.
Emerging Tech
Senator Doubles Down On Data Privacy, Sends Letter to CFPB
Sen. Ron Wyden asked the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to tighten its rules regarding data broker sales.
Emerging Tech