Modernization
GAO Recommends VA Pause EHR Deployment to Resolve Issues
The Veterans Affairs Department told auditors it will move on with deployments while addressing test findings.
Cybersecurity
CMMC reciprocity in sight for 2021
The Defense Department is still figuring out how to give contractors reciprocity with the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program and similar certifications, but the end is close, officials say.
Cybersecurity
Senators: Biden picks Anne Neuberger to lead SolarWinds response
The lawmakers had sent a letter to the White House earlier this week urging President Joe Biden to select one official to oversee the federal government’s response to the breach.
Cybersecurity
Warner, Rubio seek single top official for SolarWinds response
The two leaders of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence say the government's response to the hack so far has been "disjointed and disorganized."
Modernization
Tech and tweets: Tanden talks policy and social media on Capitol Hill
President Biden's nominee for OMB director came under fire during her hearing for mean tweets aimed at Republican lawmakers. "I regret the language," she said.
Acquisition
New risks threaten defense industry's cybersecurity, report claims
Newly reported cybersecurity vulnerabilities inched past 17,000 in 2020, signaling worsening security in the defense industrial base, according to a National Defense Industry Association report.
People
FLRA defends Trump-era rule on revoking union fees
The Federal Labor Relations Authority is defending a 2020 rule in a union lawsuit – a rule opposed by the official now temporarily in charge of the agency.
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