Digital Government
Top Republican Calls for IG Investigations Into Feds’ Telework Productivity During Pandemic
An oversight subcommittee ranking member, Jody Hice, blasted the White House for seeking a permanent increase in federal remote work without first seeking more data about the impact on agency missions.
Digital Government
Defense Digital Service Director Used Signal App In Violation of Pentagon Policy, IG Says
The DOD Office of Inspector General found evidence that outgoing DDS Director Brett Goldstein also encouraged subordinates to use the encrypted messaging app.
People
DOD watchdog says DDS director didn't mistreat employees
A probe found that Defense Digital Service Brett Goldstein did condone the use of unapproved encrypted communications apps and also identified discussion among staffers about programming a script to rig an online competition.
Cybersecurity
CISA still in the dark about agency network defense plans
In the wake of the SolarWinds campaign, the agency in charge of federal agency cyber defense acknowledges some gaps in both its data collection and network monitoring capabilities.
Digital Government
Deferred maintenance takes a toll on federal infrastructure in Indian Country
The average age of health care facilities run by the Indian Health Service is more than 37 years. The agency's construction program has a need for an estimated $22 billion, an agency official told lawmakers.
Cybersecurity
TSA preps second pipeline cyber directive
A senior TSA official told House lawmakers on Tuesday that it is preparing to issue a second security directive focused on cybersecurity mitigation measures used by pipeline companies.
Digital Government
GAO: Tech, Automation Improved Decennial Census Productivity
More than half of the Americans self-responded to the decennial census using the internet in 2020.
Cybersecurity
Warner previews breach notification bill
The chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence said he will introduce legislation to mandate that companies notify the government to major cybersecurity breaches, a promise several lawmakers have made this year.
People
Biden's OPM nominee appears headed for confirmation
A vote on the nomination of Kiran Ahuja to head the Office of Personnel Management is expected before the Senate goes into recess at the end of next week.
Cybersecurity
Pentagon Weapons Programs Still Struggle to Use Modern Software Practices, Watchdog Says
The Government Accountability Office found programs face challenges with agile deliveries and cybersecurity testing.
Digital Government
Biden's pick to lead GSA: 'We can't implement government policy if we can't get the damn websites to work'
Robin Carnahan said she will focus on making General Services Administration's offerings more user friendly and digitally secure while improving governmentwide cybersecurity efforts.
People
OMB wants budget boost to rebuild workforce
OMB Acting Director Shalanda Young said some offices within her agency remain 30% below 2012 staffing levels.
Cybersecurity
Colonial CEO defends $4.3M ransomware payment
Joseph Blount, the chief executive officer of Colonial Pipeline, on Tuesday defended the company's ransom payment to the criminal group Darkside and said Colonial is continuing to work with law enforcement and cybersecurity consultants to restore their business systems.
Cybersecurity
IRS' Use of Special Hiring Authorities Could Be Leading to Skills Gaps, IG Says
The agency has been using emergency authorities to meet staffing goals, but may be compromising on the quality of new hires as a result, according to an inspector general report.
Acquisition
Security clearance demands are exploding and government must keep up
The federal government must evolve security clearance standards to reflect certain cultural realities while also looking to improve clearance reciprocity between agencies.
Digital Government
Many federal websites don't meet accessibility requirements, study finds
Out of 72 government websites studied, 30% didn't meet accessibility standards, according to the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation.
Acquisition
DHS faces setbacks implementing CDM, watchdog says
The Department of Homeland Security has failed to address critical vulnerabilities across information technology assets due to significant delays in the department's rollout of a federal Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation program.
Modernization
Lawmakers Want IGs to Include Telework Vulnerabilities in Upcoming FISMA Audits
House Oversight Committee leaders want to know what vulnerabilities remote-access software introduced and whether agencies mitigated them.
Cybersecurity
IG: CISA-Run Monitoring Program Has Not Improved DHS’ Cybersecurity Posture
The department’s inspector general also found vulnerabilities in the department’s technology due to poorly defined patch management roles and configuration settings.
Digital Government