Cybersecurity
GAO to DHS: Assess How Agencies Implement Cyber Directives
An audit says the Department of Homeland Security needs to do more to ensure agencies carry out binding directives it issues.
Cybersecurity
CISA touts CDM, CyberStat as key cyber compliance tools
A watchdog report found DHS doesn't always validate whether agencies are complying with mandatory directives. The department floated plans to leverage two existing program to do just that.
People
Key agencies still lack confirmed watchdogs
Expert says lack of confirmation sends message that inspectors general are undervalued, ineffective
People
At hearing, IGs look to curb reprisals against whistleblowers
The Trump impeachment and trial put whistleblowers in the public eye, but behind the headlines, officials say, agency whistleblowers are subject to reprisal.
Digital Government
Agency Officials Are Increasingly Retaliating Against Whistleblowers With Impunity, IG Says
Lawmakers and advocates say Trump's attacks on the whistleblower that kicked off his impeachment will have long-lasting negative effects.
Modernization
How GSA does oversight on EIS
With a March deadline looming, GSA is checking on how agencies are moving ahead with their telecom transition plans.
Digital Government
Unclear NSA CIO Role Puts the Agency’s IT at Risk, IG Says
Auditors report the position is not even in the agency’s organizational chart.
Cybersecurity
Another Poor Cybersecurity Audit at State Department Draws Scrutiny
Auditors have been reporting weaknesses in IT security controls for over a decade.
People
How to speed up Senate confirmation
Confirmation for political appointees has lagged, and the Partnership for Public Service has some ideas for picking up the pace.
Digital Government
GAO Calls Out IRS’ Taxpayer Experience Issues
The 2019 tax filing season was more problematic than usual for IRS.
Cybersecurity
Pentagon Must Focus on Reliability When Buying Weapons Systems, Auditor Says
The Government Accountability Office report holds implications for cybersecurity considerations in procurement processes.
Modernization
EPA Could Save Taxpayers Thousands of Dollars Through Stronger Oversight of Mobile Phones
The agency “missed an opportunity” to better use $12,000 spent over two years on unnecessary voice and data services, watchdog finds.
Acquisition
More antitrust probes of government procurement likely, thanks to new task force
Attorneys focused on the government procurement market warned vendors that the new Procurement Collusion Strike Force faces a steep learning curve.
Cybersecurity
Privacy assessment finds risk with CDM shared service platform
An updated assessment from the Department of Homeland Security finds that a shared services platform designed to help smaller agencies use the Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation program brings with it new but manageable privacy risks.
Cybersecurity
Another Federal Employee Caught Watching Porn at Work
The employee admitted watching adult pornography at work but retired amid a government investigation.
Cybersecurity
Watchdog: OPM is At Risk of Not Being Able to Restore IT Systems Post-Disaster
The massive 2015 data breaches that exposed personal information of current and former federal employees are the subject of an ongoing lawsuit.
Digital Government
USPS, CBP share shipping data to track opioids
The Postal Service still needs to work on its ability to share international shipment data with Customs and Border Protection, according to an oversight report.
Cybersecurity
Lawmakers seek answers on HUD's use of facial recognition
Responding to press accounts, a group of lawmakers want to know if the Department of Housing and Urban Development is supporting the use of biometric surveillance in public housing properties.
Digital Government
NSA data storage poses risk to civil liberties, watchdog says
An audit conducted by the National Security Agency inspector general raises questions about the intelligence agency’s data retention policies.
Modernization