Modernization
GAO Audit Again Shines Light on Problems in VA’s Health Records Rollout
The audit found that data quality and stakeholder engagement were two key issues with the rollout.
Cybersecurity
Audit: Labor Department Information Security Program ‘Not Effective’
Auditors made 18 recommendations to remediate some of the agency’s longstanding issues.
Digital Government
Watchdog: HUD Disaster Relief Could Use Better Data Collection, Analysis
A GAO report found one of HUD’s aid programs could be more efficient if more accurate demographic information is harvested and referenced prior to distributing funds.
Emerging Tech
NOAA Should Reassess Geostationary Satellite Launch Plans, IG Says
It isn’t the first time the satellite program has come under scrutiny.
Modernization
Watchdog Finds IT Scorecards Effective In Monitoring Federal Modernization Efforts
A new report highlights the benefits FITARA grading has had on modernizing tech within the government, despite recent failing grades.
Modernization
New FITARA Grades Show Agencies Failing to Transition Off Legacy Networking Services
But agencies got all As on data center optimization, suggesting it may be time to retire or update that metric.
Digital Government
Former Homeland Security Acting Inspector General Pleads Guilty To Data Theft
Charles Edwards pleaded guilty to two federal charges of stealing government software and personnel data.
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