Cybersecurity
HASC adds cybersecurity subcommittee
Rep. Jim Langevin (D-R.I.) will chair a new subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee focused on cybersecurity, emerging tech and information systems.
People
Senate panel approves Granholm nomination to lead DOE
Jennifer Granholm, the former governor of Michigan, is poised to become energy secretary as the agency continues to grapple with the fallout of the SolarWinds Orion hack.
Cybersecurity
Lawmakers press NSA for answers about Juniper hack from 2015
A group of Democratic lawmakers is calling on the NSA to explain its part in developing a flawed encryption algorithm that was used and subsequently exploited through Juniper Network's security products, citing the supply chain hack involving SolarWinds Orion.
Digital Government
Former Homeland Security Watchdog Officials Fostered ‘Divisiveness, Disorder and Dissension,’ Report Finds
The three senior employees are no longer working for the IG office.
People
Paid family and medical leave for feds in new House bill
House Democrats are looking to extend federal employee benefits with new legislation.
Cybersecurity
IG: DHS Lacks Effective Privacy Oversight
While the agency had six major privacy incidents, the privacy office fell short in numerous areas.
Cybersecurity
Senate Dems demand answers on DOJ's hack exposure
A group of Democratic senators want detailed answers from the Justice Department and the judiciary branch by the end of the month about the impact of the SolarWinds breach.
People
Biden elevates DuBester to chair the FLRA
The quasi-judicial Federal Labor Relations Authority was involved in some of the most contentious wrangling between the Trump administration and federal employee unions.
Cybersecurity
Haines looks to restore IC workforce morale
If confirmed, Avril Haines says that one of her top priorities as the Director of National Intelligence will be "institutional" issues, like renewing public trust in the intelligence community and improving workforce morale.
Cybersecurity
SolarWinds hack blights the Trump administration's cybersecurity record
The consequences of the SolarWinds Orion hack are far from clear, but analysts and lawmakers say that officials at CISA and NSA made notable strides to improve the government's cybersecurity posture.
Cybersecurity
Mayorkas calls for review of Einstein, CDM
The president-elect's nominee to lead the Department of Homeland Security said he will review the government's two major cybersecurity programs in the wake of the SolarWinds hack.
Digital Government
SBA Relaunches COVID Loan Program As Watchdog Warns About Possible Fraud
The recent COVID relief package included funding for a third round of the program, which has come under much scrutiny.
People
Civilian-military concerns trail Biden's defense secretary pick
With the Senate Armed Services Committee prepping to hear the nomination of retired Army General Lloyd Austin to serve as secretary of defense, some lawmakers are concerned about preserving civilian control of the U.S. military.
Digital Government
Capitol rioters planned for weeks in plain sight. The police weren't ready.
For reasons that remained unclear Wednesday night, the law enforcement authorities charged with protecting the nation’s entire legislative branch — nearly all of the 535 members of Congress gathered in a joint session, along with Vice President Mike Pence — were ill-prepared to contain the forces massed against them.
Cybersecurity
Government Watchdogs Launch Cyber-Threat Sharing Assessment
In the wake of the recent hack, Microsoft President Brad Smith said contractual obligations hurt cross-government sharing following breaches.
Digital Government
GAO: Bid Protests Down 2% in 2020
For a second straight year, the Government Accountability Office dealt with fewer bid protests.
Modernization
10 of 15 of DOD’s Major IT Projects Are Behind Schedule, GAO Found
Lack of talent is one of the key reasons Defense officials cited for shortfalls implementing cybersecurity best practices.
Modernization
IG: Last Major CBP System Outage Caused By Code Defect Known for 2 Years
The customs agency could have avoided an August 2019 system outage—and hours of delays for travelers—with better patch management and employee training on backup procedures.
Cybersecurity
FITARA grades mostly stable
Most agencies maintained their grades on the latest FITARA scorecard, but the new telecom category produced some failing marks.
Cybersecurity