Digital Government
Postal Service Law Enforcement Isn’t Fully Tracking Inspectors’ Use of Cryptocurrencies
Investigators reported using cryptocurrencies in nine closed cases. Auditors found another 1,064 that might not have been properly recorded.
Modernization
Agency Threatens Discipline After Monitoring Employee Computer Logs and Alleging Telework Non-Productivity
Employees complain the draconian oversight is creating a “dysfunctional” work environment.
Artificial Intelligence
Postal Service Will Focus on Big Data, Digital Platforms Over Next 10 Years
As the Postal Service looks at the next 10 years, the agency inspector general looked back at the last decade of technology innovation to see what’s worked and what hasn’t.
Digital Government
IG reports delays in COVID notification in GSA facilities
A report from the General Services Administration's Office of the Inspector General says the agency's Public Buildings Services at times failed to follow CDC guidelines around reporting and cleaning procedures for COVID-19 incidents.
Digital Government
Lawmakers Demand Documents From Many Agencies on Jan. 6 Preparation and Response
Information will include how agencies deployed resources and potentially impeded the presidential transition.
Digital Government
IG: State Office of the Science and Tech Adviser Needs Stable Leadership and a Formal Strategy
The 10-year-old office has done good work, the inspector general found, but suffers from staff turnover and a lack of strategic vision.
Modernization
Report: Agencies aren't fielding interactive digital forms
A law passed in 2018 requiring executive agencies to make online versions of paper-based forms used by the public, but only a few are fully compliant according to a new report.
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