Cybersecurity
Agencies Faced More Than 35,000 Cyber Incidents in 2017, Watchdog Says
But they’re procrastinating on adopting security tools and strategies.
Modernization
VA Overpaid $4.5 Million in Benefits Because It Didn't Read Emails, Watchdog Says
The problem wasn’t IT infrastructure, but rather a lack thereof.
Digital Government
Reports reveal massive scale of Russian disinformation ops
Russian influence operations aimed at the U.S. electorate were more widespread than previously known and remain ongoing to this day, according to two new reports.
Cybersecurity
Poor Security Could Leave U.S. Defenseless Against Missile Attacks
The details of the nation’s ballistic missile defense system are vulnerable to inside and outside threats, the Defense Department inspector general found.
Digital Government
USASpending.gov Needs Better Search and Better Data, Watchdog Says
The transparency site does not provide as much government spending data as it should, GAO said.
People
DOD on track to take on background checks ahead of White House order
The Pentagon is readying to absorb the National Background Investigations Bureau ahead of an anticipated executive order.
Modernization
Lawmakers irked by lagging CIO authorities
While applauding the best-ever progress made on the FITARA scorecard, oversight lawmakers are frustrated with slow progress in some aspects of IT modernization.
Modernization
FITARA Scores Are Up But More Work Lies Ahead
Lawmakers warned agencies not to rest on their laurels.
Modernization
IBM's protest against the Pentagon's $10 billion cloud dismissed by GAO
Amazon Web Services moved to intervene in Oracle's lawsuit over the Defense Department's JEDI cloud buy, as the Government Accountability Office dismissed IBM's pre-award protest over the same procurement.
People
Agencies take a beating in 2018 Best Places to Work report
The federal government generally looks like a less enjoyable place to work than it did a year ago, and a dearth of effective leadership gets most of the blame.
Acquisition
CBP's $297M HR systems contract yields just two hires
In a management alert, the Department of Homeland Security Inspector General found that a year-old human resources system contract is CBP's almost $300 million hiring contract is seriously challenged by performance and technology issues, according to the DHS Inspector General.
Modernization
Watchdog: IRS botched Linux migration
Poor IT governance has prevented the IRS from making progress on a long-term effort to migrate 141 legacy applications from proprietary vendor software to open-source Linux operating systems, according to an audit.
Digital Government
Agencies Increase FITARA Scores
Eleven agencies increased their grade and 13 remained the same.
Cybersecurity
Microsoft president calls for government oversight on facial recognition
The tech industry leader is worried that potential abuses of facial recognition technology could diminish enthusiasm for positive and practical uses in commerce and law enforcement.
Cybersecurity
CBP Officers Aren’t Deleting Data After Warrantless Device Searches, IG Says
An inspector general report found Border Patrol officers didn’t follow standard procedures during device searches, mostly because those procedures weren’t clearly laid out.
Digital Government
GSA watchdog warns on management controls
An edgy back and forth between the inspector general at the General Services Administration and the agency's administrator's office reveals tensions about management challenges.
Cybersecurity
'Culture of cybersecurity complacency' blamed for 2017 Equifax hack
A new congressional report states that Equifax executives knew about critical security flaws months before they discovered they had been hacked, but did little to address the problems.
Digital Government
Will Democrats revive the Office of Technology Assessment in 2019?
House Democrats have been backing a revival of the congressional tech consultancy in recent years. Now that they control the House, can the OTA make a comeback?
Digital Government
IG Shines Light On GSA’s Major Management Challenges
Recovering funds, retiring employees and making procurement efficient are just some of the hurdles the agency must clear.
Policy