Cybersecurity
Lawmakers want answers on Juniper backdoors
Members of Congress are pressing Juniper's CEO for details of an internal probe into how modified code for a compromised NSA encryption algorithm wound up in the company's firewall products.
Digital Government
GAO Provides Inspector General Reform Guidance to Congress
Among many recommendations, the Congressional watchdog suggested IGs only be removed for just cause.
Digital Government
Watchdog: VA Needs To Include More Specialists in Electronic Health Record Decisions
A new audit found Veterans Affairs’ EHR Councils were set up well and are doing good work, but need better outreach and communication to reach key stakeholders.
Digital Government
CBP Has Seized Nearly 900,000 Counterfeit and Unsafe COVID-19 Supplies
Customs officers have picked up hundreds of thousands of unapproved test kits, unproven medicines and substandard protective equipment.
Cybersecurity
Sen. Hassan digs into agency IT plans
The push comes, the New Hampshire Democrat explained, because of technology weaknesses exposed in the federal government response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Modernization
HUD Employees Saw Few Disruptions In Shift to Mass Telework, Says IG
The COVID-19 pandemic upended some paper-based processes and led to some network bandwidth issues, but the department has weathered the transition well, the watchdog reports.
Cybersecurity
Auditors Call on OMB to Ensure Agencies Coordinate on State Cybersecurity Requirements
State officials say duplicative and fragmented requests are sapping their resources.
Cybersecurity
Government’s Annual Cyber Report Shows Improvements Across the Board
Agencies received lower scores for not holding contractors responsible for privacy requirements.
Modernization
GAO plans review of telework tech
The congressional watchdog plans to examine agency lessons learned from the rapid rollout of telework tools as part of pandemic response.
Cybersecurity
Privacy report outlines scope, limitations of ICE facial recognition
According to a recently released privacy assessment, Immigration and Customs Enforcement systems are linked to a network of image databases across the country, and future trainings are being eyed to combat abuse and misuse.
Ideas
Scaling AI: 3 Reasons Why Explainability Matters
In highly regulated industries, explainable AI is increasingly essential for leaders to ensure trust in, and govern, their enterprise AI applications.
Digital Government
Senators Make Bipartisan Push to Expedite Hiring for Workers to Oversee Pandemic Response
Measure would ensure special investigator has proper resources in light of Trump's recent IG firing spree, senator says.
Cybersecurity
GAO: DHS Needs More Oversight for Service Contracts
An appropriate balance of staff is needed to ensure contractors don’t end up making policy in mission areas including cybersecurity, auditors said.
People
White House pushes Thrift Board to back off China index investment
Citing national security and economic risks, senior officials instructed the Secretary of Labor to overturn plans by the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board to buy a fund that includes investments in China.
Digital Government
Audit: HHS Not Maximizing Authorities to Recruit Scientists
The audit suggests the Health and Human Services Department should make use of the 21st Century Cures Act to recruit and retain more government scientists.
Cybersecurity
ODNI shakes up cyber structure
A consolidation of the cyber offices at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence is just one piece of a sweeping re-org announced by the spy agency late Friday that includes the elimination of one of four directorates.
Digital Government
Despite Reporting Improvements, IRS Continues to Issue Billions in Improper Payments
In one program alone, the IRS shelled out $17 billion in improper payments.
Acquisition
Paycheck protection, other pandemic response to garner 'flash' oversight
Agency inspectors general told Congress that the $2.2 trillion in spending to speed recovery and heal economic damage caused by the pandemic would be subject to quick oversight.
Ideas
Creating an Oversight Toolkit to Ensure the CARES Act Delivers for the American People
Inspectors general across government need modern tools in their fight against fraud.
Modernization