Cybersecurity
IG: 5 Things USAID Needs to Do to Better Protect Personally Identifiable Information
A recent audit showed gaps remain in the agency’s policies despite progress over the last seven years.
Cybersecurity
FDIC’s Temporary Wi-Fi Network Tool Doesn’t Have Needed Security Authorizations
The program is in limbo while the tool awaits an ATO, prompting the inspector general’s office to express its “concerns.”
Digital Government
‘All the Signs Have Been There’ Predicting Afghan Security Force Collapse, IG Says
For more than a decade, the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction has been warning about “ghost soldiers” and corruption to anyone willing to pay attention.
People
Was DOD ready for telework in 2020?
Slow networks, a lack of management buy-in and the need for more government equipment all affected how DOD feds transitioned to telework at the start of the pandemic, new reports from DOD's IG found.
Cybersecurity
Census servers hacked in 2020
A watchdog report indicates that aging remote-access servers at the Census Bureau were successfully targeted by hackers in early 2020 using a known vulnerability, and while no data was stolen, the incident revealed flaws in the bureau's cybersecurity response.
Acquisition
Watchdog says contractor oversight was lacking in Afghanistan
The Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction's newest report calls out the government's failure to oversee contractors as a source of waste, fraud and abuse.
Digital Government
DOD IG Issues Guidance for Removing Sensitive Tech and Data from Afghanistan
Service members’ records were mishandled during previous contingency operations. The watchdog suggested learning from the past.
Modernization
State Department Still Struggling With 5-Year-Old Recommendations to Fix IT Management Issues
The agency is doing better about reporting through its internal system but six of seven outstanding issues remain a concern for the inspector general.
Artificial Intelligence
NSA, DOD Watchdogs Partner to Complete Joint Evaluation of Certain Federal AI Use
It comes after a previous assessment was terminated.
Digital Government
HHS’ ‘Frequent and Significant Changes’ to COVID Data Reporting Left Hospitals Behind
Multiple updates to the rules and avenues for reporting critical pandemic-related capacity information left hospitals confused, overwhelmed and unable to comply.
Cybersecurity
Inconsistent job coding may undercut DOD’s cyber workforce efforts
A DOD inspector general audit found that while the Pentagon has made strides, inconsistent job coding for civilian cyber work roles across filled and vacant positions may hinder recruiting and retention.
Acquisition
How VA can succeed with its EHR mega-program
The former CIO of the Department of Veterans Affairs offers some ideas for course correction in the agency's flagging $20 billion–plus Electronic Health Records Modernization program.
Digital Government
Watchdog: COVID-19 Spending Using OTAs Had Less Oversight, Transparency Than Usual
For example, of the $12.5 billion awarded using other transaction authorities, nearly 60% was funneled through a single consortium management company.
Digital Government
Agencies Are Making ‘Uneven’ Progress Meeting Evidence Act Mandates, GAO Says
Many federal managers reported having the necessary staff, skills and tools to collect and analyze performance data, but the results varied widely across government.
Modernization
One A, One D in a Relatively Static FITARA Scorecard
Eighteen of 24 agencies received the same grade as in the previous FITARA scorecard.
Cybersecurity
TSA ramps up fuel pipeline cyber strategy
At a Senate hearing, the TSA administrator updated lawmakers on the implementation of two recent cybersecurity directives issued in the wake of the ransomware attack on Colonial Pipeline.
Emerging Tech
Senate Banking Chair Asks CFPB How It Plans to Address Risks of Chime and Other Banking Apps
With an estimated 12 million customers, Chime is the largest in its highly competitive subcategory of financial technology companies that serve low- to moderate-income individuals.
Digital Government
EEOC Wants a Quality Check For Its Data and Automation Strategy
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s inspector general wants an independent third party to look over the agency’s Digital Process Transformation and Automation strategy.
Acquisition
VA to continue pause on Cerner deployment for six more months
At the end of calendar 2021, the Department of Veterans Affairs expects to announce a new schedule for the deployment of its $21 billion electronic health record modernization project.
Cybersecurity