Digital Government

Tax watchdog dings IRS on security controls

Poor security controls for an online tax transcript service at the IRS may be fueling refund fraud, an inspector general audit found.

Digital Government

Now's not the time for a Space Force, STRATCOM leader says

Following President Donald Trump's comments, U.S. Strategic Commander Gen. John Hyten said he loved the idea of a Space Corps, but America doesn't need one yet.

Cybersecurity

Senator still waiting on grid cyber assessments from Energy

As the Energy Department prepares to build out its cybersecurity capacity, a key member of the Senate Energy committee is waiting on energy sector cyber assessments.

Digital Government

Commerce chief pushes Congress for census funding

Commerce Department Secretary Wilbur Ross pushed appropriators to fund the updated lifecycle cost for the census, but offered little about the citizenship question and the search for a permanent director.

Digital Government

Senate Intel committee releases election security recommendations

The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence released its initial recommendations on election security after investigating Russian attempts to target election infrastructure during the 2016 U.S. elections.

Cybersecurity

House cyber leaders push CDM funding

Three lawmakers with cyber policy expertise are urging appropriators to fully fund the administration's request for the Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation program.

Cybersecurity

Data on border tech performance a year away, says CBP

Homeland Security officials can't yet provide hard data on how effective border security technologies are, but the capability is on the way.

Cybersecurity

Why is no one raising a hand to regulate the internet of things?

The U.S. is developing a pair of reports dealing with cybersecurity standards for internet-of-things devices and combatting botnets, but recommendations will be non-binding and officials said not to expect a significant federal regulatory push.

Cybersecurity

Auditor Finds Infosec Weaknesses in Most FBI Domains

The severity of the weaknesses isn’t clear from the annual report summary.

Digital Government

Agencies Could Be Graded On More Than FITARA Under New Scorecard

At least one lawmaker wants to transition the scorecard to have a wider focus beyond FITARA but not everyone is ready to move on.

People

OMB addresses 'overlap' in tech offices

The government's top management official explained how the federal CIO and the Office of American innovation can work together.

Modernization

Protest on JEDI Cloud Support Contract Dismissed

The Government Accountability Office dismissed a bid protest filed in February against a $7 million sole-source cloud support contract related to the Defense Department’s JEDI Acquisition.

Cybersecurity

Military looks for ways to bring in cyber talent at better salaries

Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) said $37,000 may be sufficient for Hill staffers answering the phone, but is much too low for military cyber specialists.

Cybersecurity

Trump fills out intelligence oversight board

The same day the nation's top diplomat was fired and a new CIA director announced, President Trump announced plans to fill out the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board, including the addition of a former White House deputy CTO.

Cybersecurity

How the Government’s Cyber Agency Rates on Cybersecurity

The annual FISMA report shows where the Homeland Security Department—the government’s point agency on cyber issues—can improve its own information security.

People

GAO: SSA chief has been 'acting' too long

For the first time, an acting senior official elevated under the Trump administration has been cited for holding down a political job longer than allowed under the Vacancies Act.

Acquisition

Senate panel approves DHS authorization

A Senate panel voted up a DHS authorization bill, but it stripped out provisions to focus the agency on improving election system cybersecurity capabilities.

Acquisition

After breach, OPM ignored contracting requirements in ID monitoring deal

Nearly four years after the data breach, OPM was found to have improperly awarded a multi-million contract for identity theft services.

Digital Government

U.S. Customs Needs To Share More Info on Counterfeits With Online Retailers

Companies want Customs and Border Protection to do more, but officials say there’s only so much they can do.