Cybersecurity
State's cyber bureau has ‘raised the U.S. profile on cyber globally,’ watchdog says
The Government Accountability Office said the creation of the Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy in 2022 has “helped to better position State to achieve its cyber diplomacy goals.”
Cybersecurity
Agencies’ FISMA implementation is still ‘mostly ineffective,’ watchdog says
The Government Accountability Office found that less than half of surveyed federal agencies had compliant security programs and called for improved performance metrics.
Modernization
TMF’s planned cost savings have been ‘minimal’ in reality, GAO finds
The original intent of the revolving fund anticipated repayments on finished projects replenishing the pool for new ones. In reality, such repayments have been slow and slim.
Artificial Intelligence
Agencies have over 1,200 AI uses planned or in operation, watchdog finds
The massive GAO report found that some agencies — like NASA and the Department of Commerce — have made major investments in artificial intelligence, while others struggled to meet federal requirements.
Artificial Intelligence
GAO to release landmark AI report
The report provides a baseline for the use of artificial intelligence across major non-defense federal agencies and how they are meeting existing requirements.
Cybersecurity
20 federal agencies miss deadline for implementing cyber incident tracking requirements, watchdog says
The Government Accountability Office found that just three federal agencies were in compliance with the Office of Management and Budget’s advanced cyber event logging requirements.
Acquisition
Here’s what drove a 22% spike in bid protests this year
A single contract garnered more than 350 protests.
Modernization
GAO urges EPA to make a plan for its ‘difficult’ and ‘outdated’ air quality IT systems
The systems in question are each nearly 30 years old and can be "difficult to maintain, access and use."
Acquisition
DHS should assess the benefits of a risk management sharing tool, GAO says
A new report found that the department’s guidance for risk management practices in acquisition programs isn’t specific enough for all programs and could be helped by information-sharing tools.
Modernization
States need federal standards for tech used in unemployment programs, GAO says
One of the senators that requested the new report from the Government Accountability Office — Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden, D-Ore. — is tinkering with potential legislation on unemployment modernization.
Modernization
Four federal departments have not fully implemented cloud security practices, GAO says
The departments of Agriculture, Homeland Security, Labor and Treasury have made varying amounts of progress in applying crucial cloud security practices, but remain far from fully executing them, the watchdog found.
Modernization
DOD’s IT Modernization Efforts Need Data Analytics, Workforce Upskilling
The latest report from the Government Accountability underscores Defense’s ongoing need to leverage resources, personnel, and performance markers to successfully modernize its IT infrastructure.
Modernization
OMB failing to set cross-agency IT management goals, report says
Administration officials disputed some of GAO's conclusions, noting that IT goals were embedded in other management agenda targets.
Policy
GAO pegs unemployment insurance fraud tally at more than $60 billion
At the same time, the congressional watchdog cautioned that governmentwide fraud estimates are potentially dicey.
Acquisition
GAO uses uses covert testing scheme to assess SBA screening processes
The Government Accountability Office sent applications from four fake firms to the Small Business Administration's 8(a) program to see whether SBA had made progress addressing long-standing oversight issues.
Acquisition
Government watchdog calls out TMF for low rate of cost recovery
The Government Accountability Office said its previous recommendations for the Technology Modernization Fund have not been followed, leading to unrecovered operating costs and unreliable proposal cost estimates for new projects.
People
What’s next for security clearance reform?
Expect new milestones from the DOD’s governmentwide vetting IT and new policies on vetting criteria in 2022.
People
What agency tech leaders think about a U.S. Digital Service Academy
Agency tech leaders sounded off to the Government Accountability Office about the prospect of launching a digital service training school modeled on the military service academies to bring more tech talent into government.
Acquisition
Analysis: Are better debriefings driving down protests?
Beginning 2018, the Defense Department started conducting what are called "enhanced" debriefings that allow for more dialogue with companies after they've lost a contract. That means unsuccessful bidders get more information on where their bid fell short without filing a protest.
Modernization