Modernization

What to look for in DOD's coming spectrum strategy

Interoperability, integration and JADC2 are likely to figure into an updated electromagnetic spectrum strategy expected soon from the Department of Defense.

Digital Government

House Democrat Seeks to Hold IGs Accountable for Reviewing Agencies’ Reopenings

Most of the watchdog offices contacted by Rep. Connolly plan to conduct some form of review. 

Digital Government

GAO Issues Definitive List of Most Important Federal IT Acquisitions

The Government Accountability Office scored more than 100 federal IT projects and offered detailed breakdowns of the most “essential mission-critical IT acquisitions.”

Cybersecurity

Cyber Commission Suggests Reforms to Allow Flexible Pay, Hiring to Boost Workforce

Prospective federal employees might be turned off by cybersecurity jobs being classified as IT.

Modernization

GAO rounds up mission-critical IT projects

An overview of 16 key IT projects finds some common risks and pitfalls.

Modernization

CMMC reciprocity guidelines are still a work in progress

The Defense Department is hoping to begin rolling its Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program later this year, but questions remain about how reciprocity with FedRAMP will be handled.

Digital Government

Pentagon, Defense Contractors Are Out Of Step On Tech Innovation, GAO Finds

The Pentagon wanted to fund ambitious research into future tech breakthroughs but contractors spend most of their money on safer bets, GAO has found.

Digital Government

The Government Is Failing to Notify Employees of COVID Cases in Their Buildings or Ensure Cleaning, IG Says

The approach is "threatening the health and safety of federal workers, contractors, building occupants and the public," lawmaker said.

Digital Government

Customs Deploying Biometric Tech at Ports Without Fully Addressing Privacy Requirements, GAO Finds

A new audit shows Customs and Border Protection isn’t providing enough transparency to travelers regarding facial recognition technology at ports.

Digital Government

Condensed Schedule and Counters Not Showing Up to Work Have Put the Census at Risk

Census has just a month to complete its count and GAO says it still faces significant challenges in collecting accurate data.

Digital Government

110,000 Americans Died Waiting for Social Security Disability Benefits in Last Decade 

Americans waited an average of more than two years for benefits decisions from the government during the past decade.

Digital Government

GAO: Federal Agencies Lag in Retaining Veteran Employees

Between fiscal 2014 and 2018, nearly 7% of veterans left federal service, compared with only 5% of non-veterans, the watchdog agency found.

Digital Government

IG Finds Legacy System to Blame for Delayed DHS Data Reporting

The system the Federal Emergency Management Agency uses to track a flood insurance program lacks automation, slowing DATA Act-required reporting down.

Modernization

IRS Doesn’t Know How Many Legacy Systems It Has or How Much They Cost, IG Says

The tax agency needs to start with a single definition of what constitutes a “legacy system.”

Digital Government

Lawmakers Ask Watchdog to Review New Coronavirus Data Reporting System Housed Within HHS 

“We are concerned that these reporting changes undermine the nation’s COVID-19 response efforts,” wrote top House Energy and Commerce Committee members. 

Cybersecurity

GAO rejects bid by DHS to rescind opinion on illegal appointments

The Government Accountability Office is sticking to its guns on its legal opinion that states that top officials at the Department Homeland Security were elevated in violation of federal law.

Modernization

7 of 10 Agencies Respond to Senator’s Request for IT Modernization Plans

Sen. Maggie Hassan asked for updates on the government’s 10 legacy systems previously flagged as most in need of an update.

Digital Government

IG: Agriculture Employees, Contractors Aren’t Being Disciplined for Improper Use of Agency Networks

The watchdog said inconsistent policies and reporting structures have led to minimal repercussions for people using agency IT in unauthorized ways.

Cybersecurity

With the clock ticking, a House committee looks to election security

Election readiness, the cybersecurity fallout from COVID-induced telework and network monitoring and will be key areas of focus for House Homeland Security Democrats this year.

Cybersecurity

IRS Granted Tens of Thousands of Devices Network Access Without Proper Authentication

Most devices accessing the Internal Revenue Service’s internal network using wireless connections and virtual private networks weren’t authenticated, according to an audit.