Modernization
More agencies are using FedRAMP, but some are still going rogue
While hundreds of additional government cloud projects are being vetted for cybersecurity every year, a GAO audit makes clear that many agencies are still standing up programs without going through FedRAMP.
Modernization
GAO frets about TMF payback, fees
The Technology Modernization Fund – the $125 million pool of no-year money appropriated to fast-track technology upgrades – has some potential operational problems, according to an oversight report.
Modernization
Audit: Cloud Use Up But Agencies Skirting FedRAMP
More than 60% of federal agencies audited by the Government Accountability Office did not always use FedRAMP to authorize their cloud solutions.
Digital Government
Defense IG Will Review Recent $400 Million Border Wall Contract
Key House lawmaker asked for the review, citing possible improper influence by the Trump administration.
Modernization
FITARA scores trend up, but concerns on data centers, CIO authorities remain
At the ninth House hearing on implementation of the Federal IT Acquisition Reform Act, many agencies showed improvement, but lawmakers cited familiar problems.
Cybersecurity
CISA subpoena bill set to land
The legislation will make a number of changes from a proposal submitted by DHS, narrowing the scope of the authorities to critical infrastructure IT and only for cybersecurity purposes.
Modernization
Agencies Turn In ‘Best FITARA Scorecard Ever’
Collectively, the federal government improved its oversight grades in IT modernization.
Cybersecurity
Senators warn on encryption
Law enforcement hawks from both parties on the Senate Judiciary Committee threatened tech companies with new rules for access to encrypted data.
Emerging Tech
TSA Isn’t Doing Enough To Ensure Screening Tech Continues Working Over Time, Watchdog Says
A report shows the airport security agency is good at building and deploying tech but doesn’t have a process to ensure those tools keep operating at a high level.
Digital Government
GAO Handbook Helps Answer Whether That New Tech Is Right For Your Agency
The handbook outlines how the Science, Technology Assessment, and Analytics Office prepares reports for Congress, but the principles can be applied to any organization looking at new technologies.
Cybersecurity
'Technical irregularities' plagued contact chaining at NSA
ODNI's privacy czar said bad data from telecoms irrevocably tainted the contact-chaining process that was at the heart of the NSA's Call Detail Records program.
Modernization
AWS lawsuit alleges 'improper pressure' from Trump on JEDI
President Donald Trump personally steered a $10-billion cloud computing contract away from frontrunner Amazon Web Services out of personal and political animus against Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, according to the details of a lawsuit released publicly Dec. 9.
Digital Government
OTA revival hits a wall
Despite a big push from a dedicated group determined to bring back the Office of Technology Assessment, it's unclear whether many in Congress are prepared to expend political capital on the issue.
Modernization
DOD wants industry base to close IP theft gaps
The Defense Department is concerned about gaining and keeping a technological edge and is looking to private-sector companies to help seal their capabilities.
Digital Government
IG Says It Is Helping Return As Much As $5.9 Billion to the Government
The anticipated recoveries of misspent health program dollars would be the result of the HHS watchdog's work in fiscal 2019.
Modernization
IG: CBP Knew Its Tech Couldn’t Handle Family Separations Before Pushing Zero Tolerance Policy
The agency was made aware of significant data entry and tracking issues after a test in November 2017, then chose to ignore those problems.
Modernization
Do our algorithms have enough oversight?
Unconscious bias is just one of the unintended consequences complicating government's use of AI.
Emerging Tech
Pentagon Nearly Doubles Use of Other Transaction Authority Purchases
The Defense Department is embracing the alternative procurement method but could use more oversight of the deals, a Government Accountability Office audit found.
Digital Government
GAO Hires First Data Scientist
The position will lead the watchdog’s new Innovation Lab, soliciting new ideas and using data to help GAO better inform agencies and Congress.
Digital Government