People
GAO tracks diversity in the intelligence community
Although steps have been taken to address workforce diversity, a recent report underscored gaps in strategic planning among intelligence community elements.
Cybersecurity
CISA: SolarWinds' Orion may not be only entry point for hackers
CISA's latest alert suggests hackers may have found other entry points into the federal government's networks than just the IT management software suite.
Cybersecurity
GAO Issues ‘Wake-Up Call’ Report on Agencies’ Lax Supply Chain Security Management
The bottom line is that none of the 23 agencies audited fully implemented foundational risk management practices.
Cybersecurity
After Solar Winds, it's time for a National Software Security Act
The time has come for Congress to regulate security in the software industry by mandating minimal best practices for software companies selling software products or services in America.
Digital Government
New bill would shed light on 'midnight regulations'
A new bill would require the Government Accountability Office to provide Congress with information about rules published during the ending days of the Trump administration.
People
Longtime agency watchdog to head CIGIE
The Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency elected the Inspector General of the National Science Foundation as its new chairperson.
Emerging Tech
Pentagon Risks Falling Short on Electromagnetic Spectrum Goals, GAO Finds
The Defense Department needs to improve governance and oversight of EMS strategies in order to maintain operational control, according to a new audit.
People
Gender pay gap persists in the federal workforce
Incomplete data on promotion by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission limit the ability of agencies to ensure equal opportunity for promotions across gender, race and ethnicity, the report says.
Digital Government
DHS IG Opens Probe into Warrantless Cellphone Tracking
The investigation is in response to a Congressional inquiry about Customs and Border Protection getting location data from phones.
Artificial Intelligence
GAO: AI Promising in Health Care, but Challenges Remain
The nascent technology is leading to positive health care outcomes, but issues may impede widespread adoption.
Emerging Tech
The Defense Department IG Outlined the Pentagon’s Top Challenges. Here’s Where Tech Fits In.
Two new challenges added this year focus on technological dominance and data as a strategic asset. Tech like hypersonics, microelectronics, AI, 5G and biotechnology were also highlighted.
Cybersecurity
Watchdog says Pentagon's effort to 'harmonize' cyber is lacking
A new Government Accountability Office report says the Pentagon's architecture to unify its cyber efforts lacks governance structure and goals.
Modernization
GAO Offers Best Practices in Telework for Agencies
Congressional watchdogs highlight how agencies should—safely and securely—telework.
People
OMB seeks to reclassify workforce under Schedule F
The agency is gearing up to make 88% of its positions subject to at-will employment.
Cybersecurity
State Department Facing 'Significant' Information Security Issues, OIG Says
Information security and management was one of seven major management and performance issues the State Department faced in fiscal year 2020.
Digital Government
Lawmakers Want to Know Why a Controversial Immigration Figure Was Appointed to a High-Level NIST Job
The pair asked Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross for details about the creation of a deputy undersecretary position and why Congress was not informed.
Digital Government
Pentagon Expects to Fail Another Audit, But Says Progress Made
Officials say they’re on pace to pass an audit…in 2027.
Modernization
Making software more than 'IT thing'
Software modernization has a branding problem, and it's going to take more than the colloquial culture shift to speed up the Defense Department's adoption of modern tech capabilities, according to Deputy CIO Peter Ranks.
Emerging Tech
Advisory Committee Recommends DHS Perform Better Outreach Regarding Biometrics Programs
The Homeland Security Advisory Council also said its request to review a controversial biometrics rule was never fulfilled.
Cybersecurity