Digital Government
OMB Behind Schedule on Open Data Initiatives, GAO Says
The Office of Management and Budget missed the deadline for issuing governmentwide guidance for complying with the OPEN Government Data Act and is behind on reporting on agencies’ progress.
Digital Government
ATF looks to consolidate data to aid investigations
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives sees an opportunity to tap data analytics to address rising gun store robberies.
Modernization
IRS Leader Defends Agency’s Stimulus Check Performance
Lawmakers questioned whether lagging IT modernization efforts caused delays or missing financial relief payments for some Americans.
Cybersecurity
CISA Reveals Timeline for Improving Anemic Information Sharing Program
The private sector has been pushing for greater liability protections before participating in a two-way exchange of cyber threats and vulnerabilities with the agency.
Acquisition
Army needs to analyze OTA use, watchdog report finds
A GAO report found that the Army needs to do a thorough analysis of its use of rapid acquisition agreements to make contracting practices more uniform.
Modernization
Lawmakers push for 'attitudinal' shift at the Pentagon in new report
The House Armed Services Committee's Future Defense Task Force issued its final report, stressing unmanned and AI initiatives.
Cybersecurity
DOD releases interim cybersecurity rule
The rule is designed to ensure DOD contractors are adhering to a uniform standard for protecting controlled unclassified information is protected. But while trade groups representing government and defense contractors have lauded the framework but criticized the implementation and rulemaking process.
People
Federal court ruling sidelines acting head of Bureau of Land Management
A federal district court ruled Sept. 25 that Pendley's appointment as acting director of BLM was unlawful under the Federal Vacancies Reform Act.
Cybersecurity
DHS watchdog weighs in on 2019 biometrics leak
Customs and Border Protection didn't adequately safeguard data that eventually leaked by subcontractor, a recent Inspector General report states.
Cybersecurity
IG: CBP Responsible for 2019 Biometrics Breach, Though No Federal Networks Were Compromised
A ransomware attack on a Customs and Border Protection vendor leaked facial images on more than 184,000 travelers—something agency security and policy should have prevented.
Cybersecurity
Watchdog Highlights Need for Better Cyber Coordination Across Government
A pair of reports point to confusion about the State Department’s new cyber bureau and the vacuum left behind by the eliminated White House cyber coordinator position.
Cybersecurity
GAO report calls for White House cyber director
Congress may have to step in to carve out a White House position charged with implementing protective cybersecurity measures.
Cybersecurity
Audit: HUD Doesn’t Ensure Sensitive Data It Shares Is Secure
A Government Accountability Office pointed to high turnover rates for top privacy and IT security officials as a reason for the agency's poor performance.
Cybersecurity
Acting DHS head offers alternative succession path
Chad Wolf, under fire in the courts and from watchdogs about the legal status of his appointment at the Department of Homeland Security, is offering an alternative explanation of his standing.
Digital Government
IG Finds ‘Significant Inaccuracies’ in Federal Acquisition Service’s Reporting of Small Business Contracts
This resulted from issues with the GSA-managed federal procurement data system.
Cybersecurity
Treasury needs better cybersecurity tracking
The Government Accountability Office wants Treasury to do more to track the progress of financial services industry cybersecurity mitigation efforts.
Emerging Tech
GAO: Majority of Agencies Use Connected Devices But Hurdles Remain
Agencies frequently run into cybersecurity questions and interoperability issues when implementing the internet of things.
Digital Government
Calls for Investigations, Resignations Ramp Up Over Allegations of Political Interference at Federal Agencies
Democrats are probing potential improper political influence at several different agencies across government.
Cybersecurity
Interior IG Team Used Evil Twins and $200 Tech to Hack Department Wi-Fi Networks
A team of hackers was able to gain access to Interior networks using publicly available equipment, open source software and a backpack.
Modernization