Digital Government

Carolyn Maloney wins Oversight gavel

The New York Democrat won the race to succeed the late Elijah Cummings as the chair of the House Oversight and Reform Committee.

Digital Government

Defense Department Fails Its Second Audit, Yet Is Making Progress

This was only the second audit completed for the Pentagon since a 1990 law required them.

Cybersecurity

ODNI says it does not collect geolocation data under Patriot Act

Intelligence agencies say they haven't used a controversial surveillance law to collect cell location data since a landmark Supreme Court case last year, but reserve the right to do so in the future.

Digital Government

House panel mulls new election tech specs

The House Science, Space and Technology Committee will mark up new legislation Nov. 14 that would mandate new research into voting machine cybersecurity vulnerabilities and update the way the government certifies such equipment.

Digital Government

Report: election vendors need more federal oversight

A virtual oligopoly over voting technology by three private vendors and a lack of federal regulatory pressure has led to dangerous security vulnerabilities in the nation's election infrastructure, according to a new report.

Cybersecurity

Cryptocurrency tracking improves -- but how?

The IRS and other tax enforcement agencies are touting big improvements in tracing the use of cryptocurrencies in tax evasion and other criminal schemes. They just don't want to talk about how.

Digital Government

Bid Protests Hit 10-Year Low

Companies filed 16% fewer bid protests in fiscal 2019 than the year prior.

Modernization

NSA says it can collect metadata for encrypted comms

During a hearing to discuss reauthorization for a number of controversial spying authorities, intelligence and law enforcement officials indicated they could sweep up logistical records related to encrypted communications.

Modernization

Oracle pushes ahead with JEDI appeal

After Microsoft's win in the Pentagon's $10 billion cloud contract, Oracle is still looking for a court to force the contract to be rebid.

Cybersecurity

Coast Guard plans drone intercept program

The U.S. Coast Guard is developing a counter-drone capability to protect both its own locations and to guard protected assets under special circumstances as provided for under a recent law.

Digital Government

GAO imagines the future of oversight

In a new Innovation Lab, a vision of audit tech with big data and expanded reach begins to take shape.

Cybersecurity

GAO: Census Risks Missing Deadlines on 15 IT Systems Ahead of 2020 

With Census Day less than six months away, officials have no room for error in system development, testing and deployment.

People

Agencies lag on IT workforce planning, GAO says

The congressional watchdog warned that agencies are putting billions in spending at risk by not taking steps to raise skills and competencies in the IT workforce.

Acquisition

An insider's guide to avoiding procurement fraud

Outright criminal procurement fraud is thankfully rare, but compliance issues in federal contracting often have legal ramifications. Good communication can help, according to a new book.

Digital Government

DOD data strategy nearing release

Navy chief data officer says the final draft should be out in November, with service-specific implementation plans to follow.

People

Blackburn presses DOD management chief on Fourth Estate cuts

Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) pressed DOD's acting chief management officer for answers on why the Pentagon can't find more cuts in Fourth Estate agencies.

Cybersecurity

Lieu seeks answers from White House about cybersecurity purge

A member of Congress wants Acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney to answer for recent reports that indicate the White House's cybersecurity team has been gutted.

People

AFGE president takes leave in the wake of sexual harassment allegations

J. David Cox says the charges, from at least 10 employees, are "scurrilous, politically-motivated attacks."

Cybersecurity

Lawmaker pushes online verification to combat disinformation

Mandatory ID checks for social media platforms could help fight propaganda, but experts worry about privacy tradeoffs.