People

GAO: IRS should improve IT investment reporting

The watchdog agency wants the IRS to provide more and better quantitative information on IT spending to help gauge whether it is getting what it pays for.

Cybersecurity

Data breach response leaves something to be desired

The number of federal agency data breaches involving personally identifiable information increased from 10,481 in 2009 to 25,566 in 2013.

People

Software problems slow F-35 program

Delays could hurt the Joint Strike Fighter's capabilities even as the planes enter the Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps fleets.

Modernization

Is data center consolidation losing steam?

The federal government is lagging behind similar efforts in the private sector aimed at boosting security and saving money, says Brocade executive Anthony Robbins.

Cybersecurity

Agencies at odds over border tech

CBP official Mark Borkowski complained that the agency's new system was being unfairly linked to the failed SBInet program.

People

Army workforce management system questioned

A GAO report says the Army Workload and Performance System is duplicative and needs tighter oversight.

People

GAO: DOD, VA need to move on interoperable health records

The joint program needs better management and clear lines of responsibility, the watchdog agency said in a report.

Modernization

Takai takes FITARA to task for oversight provisions

Defense Department CIO is concerned the legislation might collide with internal Pentagon realignment efforts.

Digital Government

GAO: Better guidance needed on Computer Matching Act

OMB needs to be more consistent if the law is to achieve its purpose of avoiding waste and duplication, a new report says.

Acquisition

About those bid protests...

Are bid protests really booming? Here's the five-year trend -- and an explanation of how the process actually works.

Cybersecurity

House panel probes delays in border enforcement system

The modernization effort is running into a familiar problem: trying to update legacy tech while simultaneously keeping the system running.

Cybersecurity

Defense, DHS, VA drive rise in federal employment

Three national-security related departments accounted for 77 percent of the total government-wide increase in compensation from 2004 to 2012.

Cybersecurity

GAO: Protect next-gen 911 from cyberattack

With multiple federal entities working on emergency response communications, GAO says DHS should take the lead.

People

Initiative aims to find and fix federal inefficiencies

Legislation would create a Government Transformation Board empowered to impose its will on recalcitrant agencies.

Digital Government

Getting in the big-data game

Government faces a multitude of challenges in using big data effectively -- including legal obstacles and cultural barriers -- but experts say the reward is worth the risk.

People

GAO: Agencies need to improve IT Dashboard data

Of 80 investments reviewed, 27 had ratings that were inconsistent with investment risk, according to the Government Accountability Office.

Acquisition

What to expect from GAO this year

The congressional watchdog's director of IT management issues previews the upcoming oversight agenda.

Cybersecurity

GAO: Security breach response by feds is uneven

Auditors find that "none of the agencies we reviewed consistently documented the evaluation of incidents and resulting lessons learned."

Acquisition

GAO: Networx contracts not as effective as they might have been

GAO said a slow transition was part of the reason GSA did not make the most effective use of its telecom contracting vehicles.

Acquisition

GAO denies OASIS protest

The protesting firm, Aljucar, Anvil-Incus & Co., says it will seek redress in the Court of Federal Claims.