Cybersecurity

Bill Would Require Federal Agencies and Contractors to Report Cyber Intrusions Within 24 Hours

The bill leaves it up to an interagency rulemaking process to determine whether entities would be required to report incidents they’re aware of but not directly involved in.

Digital Government

DHS lacks comprehensive strategy to counter violent extremism, report says

The Department of Homeland Security is failing to assess critical external factors and has not yet implemented a data governance framework while developing strategies around terrorism prevention, a new report warns.

Modernization

Lawmakers balk at cost-overruns, transparency issues with VA's $21 billion health record program

At a Senate hearing last week, Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough noted deficiencies in training including the lack of a real system available for use by clinicians in advance of the go-live date for a new, integrated health care software system.

Digital Government

GAO Issues Recommendations to White House Science and Tech Wing

This is the first time the Government Accountability Office has provided a priority recommendation letter to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.

Modernization

VA Secretary Outlines Structural Changes to EHR Rollout

The secretary updated Congress on three pivotal changes coming to the program, including shifting the schedule to focus on sites that are ready to handle the deployment.

Cybersecurity

Energy’s Cyber Response Office Misspent Millions Due to Lack of Budget Management

Complaints alleged the relatively new CESER misspent $11.7 million, though the inspector general could only substantiate some of those claims.

Modernization

More Underestimated Infrastructure Costs Could Raise VA EHR Price Tag $2.5B

The latest inspector general report shows more underreported infrastructure costs for the electronic health record program, prompting lawmakers to call a hearing for later this month. 

Cybersecurity

VA’s Cybersecurity Still Missing Critical Zero-Trust Element, Watchdog Says

An official from the Government Accountability Office said she is encouraged by the formation of an investment review board at the department and intends to monitor it closely.

Digital Government

White House stresses stakeholder engagement in Evidence Act guidance

Three years after its passage, the Biden administration is now trying to provide clarity and additional recommendations for agencies still struggling to implement the Evidence-Based Policy Act.

Digital Government

Lawmakers mull federal response to state and local technology gaps

One potential fix could be for the federal government to harmonize its cybersecurity and data protection rules for state and local partners across federal agencies that interact with state systems.

Modernization

DOD CIO takes heat on the Hill for pace of MilCloud 2.0 migrations

Rep. Stephanie Bice (R-Okla.) called it a "delayed realization of enhanced security" amid recent high-profile cybersecurity attacks.

Cybersecurity

VA watchdog warns of security risks from undocumented PIV cards

A new report warns contracting officers at the Veterans Health Administration are failing to comply with agency and federal guidelines ensuring contractor personnel return personal identity verification (PIV) cards after employment.

Emerging Tech

Watchdog: 10 Government Agencies Deployed Clearview AI Facial Recognition Tech

A Government Accountability Office report details how agencies used different versions of the biometric technology during the pandemic and protests.

Modernization

DOD may be 'overly optimistic' with IT program risks, GAO says

The Government Accountability Office found that DOD often underestimated risks to IT programs compared to its own assessments.

Digital Government

Pentagon May Be Underestimating IT Investment Risks, GAO Says

The Government Accountability Office evaluated 10 programs at a higher risk level than what was reported by DOD, according to a new report.

Cybersecurity

Bill Would Create Cyber Workforce Training Programs at CISA and VA

The two programs would look to increase the pool of cybersecurity experts for the public and private sectors, but with a focus on preparing trainees for federal jobs.

Cybersecurity

Small businesses ask Congress to focus CMMC on primes and DOD

Jonathan Williams, a partner at the Washington, D.C.-based law firm PilieroMazza, told lawmakers much of small businesses concerns could be assuaged if DOD and prime contractors shoulder the burden.